Wellington Rape Crisis responds to sexual violence threats toward Taranaki journalist

Agency manager Eleanor Butterworth says, ‘the sense of anonymity that people seem to feel when using forums like Facebook, Twitter and blogging has come with it a disturbing shift in what is considered normal when it comes to the stalking and harassment of people online and it is a real worry that this can also spill over into their real lives too.’

Butterworth says the sexual nature of the threats and comments that women experience online is of particular concern.

“The way comment sections and twitter can quickly denigrate into sex being used as a threat, punishment or a correction for women who the writer believes is out of line shines a light on prevalence still of harmful sexual attitudes in our society.”

While Butterworth believes that while the ‘trolling’ that occurs online is difficult to police, organizations and groups have a responsibility to take action and speak out if any of their own members are implicated in such behavior.

“I really hope that Federated Farmers is looking into this and making clear to its members that the use of sexist, misogynist bullying isn’t supported by the organization no matter how displeased they are with media coverage. It’s about individuals and organization having a line they don’t cross and sexual and physical violence being firmly relegated to the unacceptable side”.

ENDS

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