Thousands in Berlin Rally Against Sexualized Violence in Wake of Allegations
In Berlin, thousands gathered at the Brandenburg Gate to protest against sexualized violence and digital abuse. The demonstration was organized by the recently established alliance 'Feminist Fight Club' in collaboration with the initiative 'Only Yes Means Yes.' The event was initiated in support of actress Collien Fernandes, following allegations she raised regarding digital abuse and the creation of fake profiles in her name.
Participants filled the Pariser Platz, with police estimating a turnout of around 2,500 people, far exceeding the original registration of 500. The rally began with a musical performance by artist Soffie, who highlighted her own experiences with digital threats and harassment. The atmosphere was somber as attendees reflected on the prevalence of sexualized and psychological violence in society, particularly as it intersects with digital platforms.
Speakers at the event cited the increasing frequency of cases involving deepfake pornography and fraudulent online profiles targeting women. Representatives from organizations such as Hate Aid noted a significant rise in reports from victims who discovered manipulated or fake images of themselves online. The difficulty in removing such content and the lengthy legal processes required were emphasized as major challenges for victims.
One activist addressed the issue of fake profiles being used to distribute explicit content without consent, illustrating that these incidents are not isolated but rather part of a broader systemic problem. The speaker noted that, in some instances, perpetrators were only held accountable for copyright violations rather than for the acts of harassment or privacy invasion themselves, reflecting gaps in existing legislation.
The demonstration also attracted individuals personally motivated by recent high-profile cases of sexual and digital violence, both in Germany and internationally. Many expressed concern about the sense of powerlessness in the face of rapidly evolving digital manipulation technologies, such as deepfakes, which can be created with minimal technical skill using publicly available images.
The trigger for the protest was recent allegations made by Collien Fernandes against her ex-husband, actor Christian Ulmen. Fernandes accused Ulmen of creating fake social media profiles using her identity and distributing manipulated pornographic images and videos. While legal proceedings are underway and Ulmen denies the allegations, the incident has reignited public debate on the need for robust legal and technological measures to protect individuals, particularly women, from digital sexualized violence.
Advocacy groups at the demonstration called for immediate policy changes to better address digital harassment and to support victims in removing unauthorized content from the internet. There was widespread consensus among demonstrators and speakers that more comprehensive legal frameworks are required to keep pace with the realities of online abuse.
The Berlin rally is part of a growing movement across Europe demanding greater accountability and stronger protections against sexualized violence, both offline and online. As cases of digital abuse become more prevalent, organizers and participants stressed the importance of solidarity, awareness, and legislative reform to ensure that perpetrators are held accountable and that victims receive adequate support.