Online Abuse Is a Daily Reality for Women in Public Life
Dr. Susan Watson, a lecturer at the University of York, responds to MP Stella Creasy’s recent account of online harassment following a social media post. Drawing on nearly a decade of research, Watson argues that misogynistic online abuse targeting women in public roles is not isolated but follows a consistent pattern comprising seven elements: defamation, emotional harm, harassment, threats, belittlement, silencing, and criticism of appearance. She highlights that accusations of betrayal or treason are common defamatory tropes used to undermine women’s professional legitimacy. While high-profile politicians like Creasy, Jess Phillips, and Caroline Nokes demonstrate resilience against these daily attacks, Watson warns of the broader societal impact. The relentless nature of this gender-based violence discourages younger women from pursuing public-facing careers, leading to their withdrawal from the public sphere. This letter emphasizes that digital abuse echoes offline gender-based violence and represents a significant loss to democratic participation and diversity in public life.
Wire timeline
Online Abuse Is a Daily Reality for Women in Public Life
Dr. Susan Watson, a lecturer at the University of York, responds to MP Stella Creasy’s recent account of online harassment following a social media post. Drawing on nearly a decade of research, Watson argues that misogynistic online abuse targeting women in public roles is not isolated but follows a consistent pattern comprising seven elements: defamation, emotional harm, harassment, threats, belittlement, silencing, and criticism of appearance. She highlights that accusations of betrayal or treason are common defamatory tropes used to undermine women’s professional legitimacy. While high-profile politicians like Creasy, Jess Phillips, and Caroline Nokes demonstrate resilience against these daily attacks, Watson warns of the broader societal impact. The relentless nature of this gender-based violence discourages younger women from pursuing public-facing careers, leading to their withdrawal from the public sphere. This letter emphasizes that digital abuse echoes offline gender-based violence and represents a significant loss to democratic participation and diversity in public life.
The Guardian