Digital Violence: Collien Fernandes Speaks Out
Daily Monitor
September 21, 2026
Digital Violence: Collien Fernandes Speaks Out
Collien Fernandes confronts the chilling realities of digital violence and its devastating personal toll.
In a world increasingly shaped by digital interactions, the boundaries between virtual and real violence are becoming alarmingly blurred. Collien Fernandes, a prominent actress and television host, has found herself at the epicenter of one of the most harrowing public debates of the year. Speaking at an event titled ‘The Price of Courage’ at the Deutsches Theater in Berlin, Fernandes laid bare the psychological and social toll of her ongoing legal battle with ex-husband Christian Ulmen, whom she accuses of orchestrating a decade-long campaign of digital impersonation and harassment.
Fernandes alleges that Ulmen created fake profiles in her name, engaging in explicit conversations with men and disseminating pornographic images and videos that falsely appeared to feature her. While Ulmen has not denied these core accusations, he disputes claims of physical harm and the creation of so-called ‘deepfake’ videos. A recent ruling by the Hanseatic Higher Regional Court has further complicated the narrative, criticizing media coverage for failing to clearly differentiate between various forms of fabricated pornography. The court prohibited the publication of claims suggesting Ulmen produced deepfake content but underscored that other allegations, including the creation of fake profiles and the distribution of explicit materials, remain uncontested.
The fallout from this case has been profound. Fernandes revealed that she has been inundated with hate messages and even death threats, with some accusing her of fabricating her claims. ‘As if the only reason people cared was because they thought he personally made a video of me lying on the floor, covered in semen,’ she remarked, highlighting the disturbing trivialization of her trauma. She described this as a ‘classic perpetrator strategy,’ where secondary issues are magnified to cast doubt on the victim’s credibility.
Adding to the irony, Christian Schertz, Ulmen’s current legal representative, had previously spoken out against the dangers of digital violence in a documentary Fernandes produced for ZDF. Fernandes expressed her anguish over the enduring impact of these actions, stating, ‘He created a narrative where I was raped by 21 men, crying and begging for it to stop. I don’t know who in the industry has seen this material, and it terrifies me to step onto a set.’
As the public and legal discourse continues, Fernandes’ story serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address digital violence as a legitimate and deeply harmful form of abuse. The case also raises critical questions about societal attitudes toward victims and the mechanisms that enable perpetrators to evade accountability.
Fernandes alleges that Ulmen created fake profiles in her name, engaging in explicit conversations with men and disseminating pornographic images and videos that falsely appeared to feature her. While Ulmen has not denied these core accusations, he disputes claims of physical harm and the creation of so-called ‘deepfake’ videos. A recent ruling by the Hanseatic Higher Regional Court has further complicated the narrative, criticizing media coverage for failing to clearly differentiate between various forms of fabricated pornography. The court prohibited the publication of claims suggesting Ulmen produced deepfake content but underscored that other allegations, including the creation of fake profiles and the distribution of explicit materials, remain uncontested.
The fallout from this case has been profound. Fernandes revealed that she has been inundated with hate messages and even death threats, with some accusing her of fabricating her claims. ‘As if the only reason people cared was because they thought he personally made a video of me lying on the floor, covered in semen,’ she remarked, highlighting the disturbing trivialization of her trauma. She described this as a ‘classic perpetrator strategy,’ where secondary issues are magnified to cast doubt on the victim’s credibility.
Adding to the irony, Christian Schertz, Ulmen’s current legal representative, had previously spoken out against the dangers of digital violence in a documentary Fernandes produced for ZDF. Fernandes expressed her anguish over the enduring impact of these actions, stating, ‘He created a narrative where I was raped by 21 men, crying and begging for it to stop. I don’t know who in the industry has seen this material, and it terrifies me to step onto a set.’
As the public and legal discourse continues, Fernandes’ story serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need to address digital violence as a legitimate and deeply harmful form of abuse. The case also raises critical questions about societal attitudes toward victims and the mechanisms that enable perpetrators to evade accountability.
Drafted & Edited by Investigative Desk | AboMatrix