Shocking harassment on Willhaben: man files a report!

Shocking harassment on Willhaben: man files a report!

An extremely disturbing incident recently caused a stir in the willhaben.at virtual marketplace. Roland, 55, whose name has been changed for privacy reasons, planned to sell an XL-sized thong for 49 euros. But suddenly the sale took an unexpected turn when a prospective buyer not only asked for a discount, but also made a sexually inappropriate offer.

Roland then offered the thong for 40 euros, but the interested party went one step further and offered 25 euros and sex. Surprised by this outrageous request and inappropriate communication, Roland declined, making it clear that he is a man. In a further step, the user in question sent naked pictures and asked the troubling question whether Roland had “never had”. The person affected is visibly shocked by this harassment and wants to warn other people about such experiences.

Online platform draws conclusions

Roland immediately reported the incident to willhaben.at. The online marketplace reacted promptly and permanently blocked the user. The company has emphasized that they take such reports seriously and treat them as a priority. In today's digital world, protecting users from sexual harassment is of utmost importance. Everyone has the right to be safe in the digital space and to conduct their business without fear of attacks, as is also affirmed on the Active Against Digital Violence website. This emphasizes that everyone should be visible in the digital space and be able to protect themselves from harassment.

The events surrounding digital violence have recently come into greater focus. On June 13, 2024, a directive of the European Parliament and of the Council came into force aimed at combating violence against women, including digital violence. This form of violence is no longer seen as a mere juxtaposition of analogue and digital violence, but as a deep-rooted social problem that affects both men and women. Digital violence can often spill over into analog violence and has real consequences for those affected, such as being tracked down and harassed.

Digital Violence: A Growing Problem

The diversity of digital violence can be seen in various forms such as cyberbullying, cybergrooming and cyberstalking. Women, girls, trans and non-binary people in particular are often targets of such unwanted attacks. This often happens through (ex-)partners or other people who have an interest in a person. These developments make it clear that awareness of this problem must also be created in the digital space in order not only to protect victims, but also to hold perpetrators accountable.

Roland's incident on willhaben.at reminds us urgently that despite all the positive aspects of digital commerce, the dark sides must also be taken into account. The fact that such an offer is not only absurd but also regrettably part of everyday life for many cannot be swept under the carpet. In times when more and more people are selling and shopping online, it is crucial that we as a society take action against digital violence.

There is support for those affected, for example through specialist advice centers, which can often provide important help and resources. There are initiatives underway to raise awareness of digital violence and make legal progress. Awareness of the issue must be raised, especially to prevent such shocking experiences from becoming commonplace. Because one thing is clear: digital violence does not belong in our modern world.

Those interested can find further information on the topic on the website Today, Active against digital violence and bpb.de.