A leading figure in Germany’s Left party, Heidi Reichinnek, has stated she regularly files complaints regarding abusive language and threats she receives, particularly online.
Speaking to the news portal T-Online, Reichinnek acknowledged that while not all incidents can be formally reported due to anonymity, the process of documenting and pursuing legal action remains vital. She revealed that she recently received a threatening letter containing a death threat.
Reichinnek emphasized the prevalence of online abuse, describing a constant stream of sexist insults, death threats and threats of sexual violence. While she often doesn’t personally experience all instances, which largely take place online, she expressed concern about the normalization of such behavior. “The internet is not a lawless space” she stated. “These aren’t minor offenses, but rather create fertile ground for something truly terrible to happen.
She also questioned the motivations of those engaging in such online harassment, wondering if they would express the same sentiments directly. Reichinnek and her team are working to navigate the complexities of reporting and pursuing legal avenues against this digital abuse.