MEAU and KPN release the song ‘Stukje van Mij’ (Piece of Me) to combat forwarding

In the past six months, 15% of young people between the ages of 13 and 24 have sexted, according to recent research conducted by Rutgers and Soa Aids Nederland. This is usually fun and exciting and, for many young people, it’s a normal way of flirting. But, in the same period, one in a hundred young people experienced their intimate images being forwarded to someone else against their will. And that can have disastrous consequences, especially for young people. This is why the singer MEAU released the video of the song ‘Stukje van Mij’, with the message: think before you forward. A message that is supported by Rutgers, Fonds Slachtofferhulp (Victim Support Fund), Helpwanted, Soa Aids Nederland and KPN.

Yesterday, MEAU launched the video of her latest number ‘Stukje van Mij’. The singer wrote the song after calling on her followers on Instagram to share their experiences of intimate images being forwarded against their will. Six of her followers, supported by Fonds Slachtofferhulp, shared their personal story with MEAU. Inspired by these stories, the song and the video tell of the consequences, the shame and the feelings of guilt experienced by someone whose intimate image has been forwarded. “I am touched by these stories and far too often I have experienced up close that intimate images are forwarded against someone’s wishes to people for whom they are not intended,” says MEAU. “We are already making a huge difference by discussing this issue openly with each other. It is important to shift the focus, away from the victim to never forwarding someone else’s intimate images.”

In the past six months, 33,000 young people have been the victim of unwanted forwarding of nude images
New research by Rutgers and Soa Aids Nederland, in collaboration with Statistics Netherlands, the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) and municipal health authorities, shows that 15% of young people have sent intimate images of themselves to someone in the past six months. But online flirting also goes wrong sometimes: One in a hundred young people have experienced having their own intimate photo or video being distributed against their will in the past six months.

“That works out to over 33,000 young people in the last half year alone,” states Willy van Berlo, expert in sexual violence at Rutgers. She welcomes the initiative by MEAU, KPN and partners: “Victims of this form of online boundary-crossing sexual behavior often face shaming, negative self-image, and victim blaming. This is highly damaging and, worse, the person who sends the image gets away with it. We need to focus much more on breaking this harmful culture. ‘Stukje van Mij’ contributes to this and simply calls on everyone not to forward nude images.”

Nathalie Franse, online sexual abuse expert at Fonds Slachtofferhulp: “The consequences of online shaming can be huge: ranging from feelings of depression and loneliness to sometimes even suicidal thoughts. ‘Stukje van Mij’ raises awareness and contributes to recognition. So that young people who experience this know that they have nothing to be ashamed of and that the blame always lies with the person who forwards an intimate image without permission.”

How was your day online?
‘Stukje van Mij’ is made in association with Rutgers, Fonds Slachtofferhulp, Helpwanted, 113 Suicide Prevention and experience expert Francien Regelink, and was created with the support of KPN. With a mission to make the internet better and to increase the digital resilience of its users, the first topic that KPN is tackling is online safety. This is because, according to KPN, the internet should be a place that connects people, a place that brings out the best in people and does not divide them. With this, KPN hopes to make this topic something that can be talked about among young people and within families. So that at home, at the dinner table, people can ask: “How was your day online?”

www.kpn.com/stukjevanmij