Elly, the counseling center in Thuringia, warns about the real consequences of hate speech and online incitement. “Hate on the internet is no longer merely a digital phenomenon. For many affected people it is a real threat that seeps into daily life: into their sense of security, into relationships, into political participation, and into the question of whether people will continue to speak out or get involved publicly,” explains project director Berna Uluçay.
In Thuringia, digital attacks are often linked to social power structures, right-wing mobilization, and concrete threats on the ground, according to Uluçay.
The counseling center notes that those most affected include people who are civically engaged or who oppose right-wing ideologies, as shown by relevant inquiries. It can lead to very specific fears for those affected, such as when their private data is published online or when they encounter right-wing Telegram groups, the center said.
Affected individuals then asked themselves questions like: “Who knows where I live? Who knows about my family? Whom will I encounter in daily life?” Digital violence must be taken seriously, especially in the context of right-wing violence and real intimidation.
Elly logged more than 350 consultations as well as other forms of support in the past year. In that time, the counseling center informs those affected about legal options if they want to take action against a post, or offers to accompany them to the police.
The center opened three years ago in June 2023. If you become the target of politically motivated online attacks—such as right-wing harassment campaigns—or if you face online racist, anti-LGBTQ+ or sexist abuse, you can reach out to Elly via their website. (cw/dpa)
