Digital violence is a collective term for various forms of gender-specific violence. It refers to acts of violence that make use of technical aids and digital media (cell phones, apps, Internet applications, mails, etc.) and violence that takes place in digital space, e.g. on online portals or social platforms. We assume that digital violence does not function separately from "analog violence", but is usually a continuation or supplement of violent relationships and dynamics.
bff: active against digital violence
With this project, the bff is campaigning against gender-specific digital violence. The project was funded by the Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ) from 2017-2021.
The bff and its member institutions have already been working on the topic of digital violence for several years. With an independent project, this expertise is used to counter digital gender-based violence.
InterAction: Interdisciplinary action partnerships against digital gender-based violence
The bff's InterAction project serves to fill a void in the care of victims of digital gender-based violence. Existing organizations of the outpatient support system, i.e. women's counseling centers and women's emergency hotlines that are organized in the bff, will be networked with local IT experts for this purpose in order to implement all necessary measures to end the violence in challenging cases of digital violence.
Initially, this cooperation will be tested with two model locations. The goal is to find IT professionals who are willing to acquire knowledge about gender-based violence, trauma and the corresponding support structures. The IT professionals can then be approached by the counseling center if, for example, a client suspects of being stalked, or other cases that require more in-depth knowledge regarding IT devices and digital media.
As part of the project, the IT specialists will provide initial advice to victims, but it is also intended that the cooperation will continue after the project is over. The results and findings will be documented and published in the form of a white paper at the end.
InterAktion is funded by the German Federal Ministry for Family Affairs, Senior Citizens, Women and Youth (BMFSFJ) as part of the federal innovation program "Together against Violence against Women".