Column 22 April 2021 - Online abuse

I was shocked at the beginning of this week to see various posts on social media warning of apparent messages being sent to and by students of Falmouth University regarding “national rape day”, with a group of boys competing to sexually assault the most women.

This is completely abhorrent, Falmouth University has said while it has no evidence that reports of these posts and purported related discussions are genuine, or that there is a genuine threat, it is clear that the issue is causing distress in its community.

In fact this is one of those instances where even if the original report is simply not true, and is some sort of hoax or sick joke, the ramifications of these actions can be severe, triggering upset and distress in people who have experienced sexual assault in the past, and even encouraging potential criminals to commit crimes.

I am pleased to see the university has said it is actively working with the police to support their investigations and that they will take a zero-tolerance approach to anyone found participating in any related group or engaging with the content in a way that could reasonably be foreseen to cause distress or emotional harm, whether intended or not.

If they are not genuine, then why are social media platforms allowing such posts at all?  Yet again, as with the online abuse of women elected representatives, it is clear that the anonymous and ‘safe distance’ nature of social media platforms allows such abuse to take place.  Offence, insults and threats can be handed out with anonymity.  People, to put it politely, can be far less respectful than they would usually be if speaking face-to-face.

Accountability for what one posts on social media must improve dramatically if we are going to save future women and girls from the vile comments my generation has experienced.

The Online Harms Bill, which is currently going before Parliament, is a pivotal opportunity to tackle online abuse against women and girls, including elected representatives. However, there is concern amongst civil society organisations that the white paper falls short when addressing the disproportionate levels of online harms faced by women and those with multiple protected characteristics. I believe that the Online Harms Bill must include gender-based abuse as a priority harm and recognise the compounding harm experienced by those with multiple protected characteristics, rather than categorisation as separate issues.

The reports of abuse that many of my colleagues in Parliament have experienced is shocking.  Senior colleagues have been visibly moved by what they have heard from some of my intake from the 2019 General Election.  Parliament, I believe, is united in wanting to improve discourse in public life for everyone.  We must ensure that it is unacceptable to use the fact that someone is a woman to direct sexist and violent insults her way, merely because there is a disagreement over policy.

I intend to use my time and energy in Parliament to improve this space for women and girls today and for those who come after me, both as elected representatives and across society.

As ever, if you need my assistance with anything then my team and I are here to help. Please get in touch with me by email at Cherilyn.mackrory.mp@parliament.uk , or by telephone on 01872 229698.