As part of the session “Between Theory and Practice,” Luise from the Professorship for Global Health and Désirée Mendo from HateAid delivered a joint talk entitled “Digital Violence: Evidence, Impact, and How We Can Respond.” Their contribution connected current scientific evidence with experience from practical support and advocacy work.

Luise presented research on technology-facilitated gender-based violence and gendered hate speech. She highlighted how digital attacks can affect the well-being, public visibility, and social and political engagement of those targeted. Désirée complemented the research perspective with insights from HateAid’s work, outlining the support needed by people affected by digital violence and the concrete options available to them.

The discussion emphasised that digital violence is not merely an individual problem. It can push people out of public debates, reinforce existing inequalities, and ultimately undermine social and democratic participation. An effective response therefore requires rigorous evidence, accessible support services, solidarity within institutions, and meaningful accountability from policymakers, law enforcement authorities, and digital platforms.

The session was met with great interest and prompted a highly engaged discussion with the audience. We thank the TUM Staff Unit Diversity & Inclusion for the invitation and excellent organisation, as well as all participants for their thoughtful questions and contributions.