How Grossly Are Single Women from TV Shows Messaged on Instagram - German women battle relentless online harassment and real-world threats
A growing number of women in Germany are facing online harassment and real-world threats. New reports show that around 70 percent have encountered hatred or hostility. Meanwhile, dating show participants and social media influencers describe daily abuse, from sexualised messages to violent threats.
Former Bachelor contestant Mareike Köhler regularly receives explicit messages on Instagram. She now blocks and ignores senders to avoid further contact. Another influencer, Kati Zucker, turns offensive DMs into comedy material for her segment Slide in My DMs—though she still advises reporting and blocking abusers.
Isabella Detlaf, a dating show participant, has struggled with panic attacks after years of offensive messages. She claims many men who contact her are already married. Detlaf hasn't been on a date in three years and fears she'll remain alone. The problem extends beyond social media. Official figures reveal that, in 2024, 132 women in Germany were killed by partners or ex-partners. Globally, one in two young women report harassment on platforms like Instagram or Facebook. Authorities, including the *Bundesamt für Justiz* and *BKA*, track partner-related murders but do not classify them as femicides. No official femicide statistic exists in Germany, leaving gaps in data on gender-based violence.
Women continue to face harassment both online and offline, with daily threats and long-term psychological effects. While some use humour or blocking tools to cope, official data highlights persistent risks—including fatal violence. The lack of a dedicated femicide statistic means the full scale of the issue remains unclear.
