Caren Miosga: Collien Fernandes on Women’s Safety

The Growing Debate on Digital Violence in Germany

In recent days, a significant political and social debate has been unfolding in Germany, focusing on legal loopholes related to identity manipulation on the internet and the unauthorized publication of adult content—such as AI-generated images and videos. These issues often target women, leading to a growing concern about digital violence. On Sunday, the talk show “Caren Miosga” addressed this critical topic with the episode titled “Digital Violence – How Can Women Be Better Protected?”

Host Caren Miosga (56) welcomed Collien Fernandes (44), a prominent voice against digitalized inappropriate violence. The current discussion stems from the personal experiences of Miosga and actress Fernandes, who made serious allegations against her former partner, Christian Ulmen (50), in an interview with “Spiegel.” This incident sparked thousands of people to take to the streets, showing solidarity with Fernandes and other victims of digital violence while raising awareness about the legal gaps in Germany.

A Tremendous Movement

One of the central demands in the debate is better protection for women through legislation. In the conversation with Miosga, Fernandes shared that she partially expected the reaction to the article but was surprised by the magnitude of the response. She mentioned that while it wasn’t unexpected to face hatred, she never anticipated “that this would trigger such a tremendous movement.”

Fernandes emphasized the importance of encouraging women to “go out” and speak up, as no change can occur without addressing grievances. She also called for education on the topic starting in schools and with children. Training for individuals handling reports is essential, as they must manage such cases sensitively. She pointed out that procedures in Germany are often dismissed due to perceived insignificance, which sends a harmful message to victims. When women share their experiences, it’s important not to be surprised by the “huge dark field” of unreported cases.

Better Awareness and Harsher Penalties

Fernandes advocates for increased awareness and stricter laws. In the conversation, she and Miosga discussed Spain, which serves as an example in dealing with violence against women. Spain has “stricter laws” and harsher penalties for crimes that primarily affect women, including domestic and digital violence. Fernandes criticized Germany as an “absolute perpetrator paradise,” highlighting the need for similar measures.

Fernandes accused Ulmen of allegedly operating fake profiles online under her name and distributing adult content that gave the impression of her involvement. She described her personal case on the show, mentioning that several men contacted her or her management about these fake profiles. One individual she had professional dealings with even asked her about an alleged online affair she knew nothing about.

Fernandes’ Emotional Journey

During the broadcast, Fernandes also spoke out on Instagram, expressing gratitude to those showing solidarity. She thanked the thousands of people who took to the streets in Munich, Cologne, and other cities. “This truly means an infinite amount to me!” she wrote.

The host acknowledged how emotionally demanding the situation must be for Fernandes. “As you can imagine, I’m not always doing well right now,” she wrote. “It’s an emotional rollercoaster, but I’m naturally pleased that the political debate has gained momentum, and that women should be better protected from digital abuse in the future.”

Legal Responses and Public Reactions

Christian Ulmen’s lawyer, Schertz, expressed sharp criticism before the show aired. He feared that the television program convening with the Federal Minister of Justice Stefanie Hubig (SPD) and the person filing the report was problematic. He argued that this was happening “with an investigation just initiated against a suspect,” calling it “blatantly unconstitutional.” However, the editorial team responded before the broadcast, stating that the accusation had no legal basis and that freedom of the press in Germany allows for such discussions. They emphasized that investigations do not establish a ban on reporting, and the presumption of innocence applies to Ulmen.