Berlin Launches New Project to Combat Digital Gender-Based Violence
Berlin, April 24 – The Senate Department for Labor and Social Affairs has announced the launch of a new statewide project in Berlin designed to combat digital gender-based violence in social settings. The initiative, named “One Team Against Digital Violence,” aims to provide crucial support to professionals working in women’s shelters, safe houses, and counseling centers across the city.
The primary goal of this project is to enhance the capabilities of these professionals, enabling them to offer more tailored and swifter assistance to victims of digital violence. The Senate Administration, which also oversees gender equality and anti-discrimination, highlighted the urgent need for such a program.
Rising Reports and Gaps in Support
“Berlin-based counseling centers and women’s shelters have been reporting a significant increase in digital violence for years,” stated the Senate Administration. This growing trend has exposed a critical gap in the existing support system. “At the same time, there is a lack of training opportunities, technical knowledge, and standardized protection and response strategies in many places.”
The new project directly addresses these deficiencies. It will offer comprehensive training programs for professionals, equipping them with the necessary skills to understand and counter various forms of digital violence. Additionally, the initiative will provide technical case consultation for specific suspected cases, ensuring that complex situations are handled with expert knowledge. Support will also be extended for developing robust safety protocols within facilities, thereby creating a safer environment for both victims and staff.
The overarching objective is to integrate technical expertise into the existing support system, ensuring a holistic approach to tackling digital violence. Social Affairs Senator Cansel Kiziltepe (SPD) emphasized the importance of this expansion. “Digital violence, in particular, is increasingly intruding into the daily lives of those affected and often further exacerbates existing patterns of violence,” she said. “That is why we are consistently expanding our protective structures in Berlin.”
Beyond Hate Speech: Covert Surveillance and Its Risks
Miriam Ruhenstroth, representing the new initiative, underscored the pervasive nature of digital violence in the daily work of professionals at women’s shelters and counseling centers. She clarified that the scope of this violence extends far beyond mere “hate speech.”
“Perpetrators, for example, secretly install spy apps and track locations using hidden Bluetooth trackers,” Ruhenstroth explained. Such covert surveillance not only endangers the victims of violence but also poses significant risks to the very institutions designed to protect them, such as shelters whose addresses are kept secret for safety reasons.
The “One Team Against Digital Violence” project is a proactive step by the city of Berlin to adapt its protective measures to the evolving landscape of gender-based violence, ensuring that victims receive the most effective and up-to-date support available.
Source: https://www.berlin.de/en/news/10342207-5559700-berlin-launches-new-project-to-combat-di.en.html
