An increasing number of online attacks on women, new campaigns offer hope to silence haters

Silence is not golden.

A new campaign to reach out to women who are being harassed online on social media platforms and other online as hatred of women is growingToxicHush} Is out space.

(Toxic Hush is a nonpartisan philanthropic organization that addresses the critical social issues facing Canada today, such as the online abuse and harassment faced by many women.)

Malicious online attacks have risen by 20% worldwide since the start of the pandemic. The United Nations Broadband Commission reports that 73% of women are being abused online. Also, nearly 90% of campaign survey respondents, especially those with crossing identities, have experienced or witnessed an increase.

Brandi Morin, 41, felt hatred. The threat of death in the form of email from the sender of the pseudonym. It was vulgar. She knew the person personal details about my life-where I live, I have children, and details of my youth.

"If I said this wouldn't scare me, I would be lying. Not only for my own safety, but for my children For safety, , "says Morin, award-winning Cree, Iroquois, and French journalist in Alberta State Treaty 6. She uses Twitter and Instagram to share critical stories and her anti-racial advocacy.

"So I called the police and they told me I couldn't do anything unless the situation was" escalated ". I was wondering what that meant. What did you escalate to? To someone who appeared at my door. In my life being directly threatened.

"Before hanging up with the policeman, she told me," It's a good idea to keep the door locked. "

Morin is one of the five women who testify in Toxic. She's a hash campaignPeople's Court, she uses her voice for those who can't speak up. Violence needs to be publicly named, she says. "I can't stay in the shadows waiting to attack other victims."

Mobile phone , Social media feeds, insults, lies aimed at ruining reputation, rape jokes, sluts-shameful, and threats of physical and sexual violence, "a significant number It's not surprising to report that women are not only angry, but also anxious and afraid, "says Shari Graydon ofInformedOpinions. A campaign and research initiative to document the amazing effects of hatred promotes accountability for social media platforms.

Unfortunately, when a woman reports technology-induced hatred or threats to the police, she is often told to leave the Internet, which is not possible, says Graydon. "Most of us are online every day. We work, stay connected with our families, and stay informed."

Online hatred is at the epidemic level It's happening, adds Ilana Landsberg-Lewis, a human rights lawyer and advocate for women. "And the more women speak online, the more they are targeted by perpetrators of online hatred with vitriols, hatred, and threats that are clearly directed to their identities."

But Staying quiet is toxic and not accountable – not from the perpetrators, nor from the social media platform, says Landsberg-Lewis. "Silence allows them all to continue and burden the individual victims of online hatred to deal with it.

" Breaking silence to find a solution It's essential. To deal effectively, we need to know the nature, scale, and impact of this problem, "she adds.

The online world becomes more dangerous as hatred and threats surge and voices silence, as there are no social media regulations or government policies that provide protection against online hatred and cyber violence. ..

"I was threatened and those threats caused me many sleepless nights ... I don't know where people are going – fear for me and my daughter Wake up on the night of the witness, "reports Birgit Umaigba, a nurse, educator, and advocate of anti-racialism. She was mercilessly attacked when she claimed her nurse's rights during the pandemic.

According to Graydon, online abuse has pushed women out of their range of influence, including public conversation and elected positions. "It deprives them of the opportunity to build their business, share their research and advocate change, and it is crucially needed from all of us to help shape policies and priorities. It robs them of their empirical insights and solutions. "

Our law is not keeping up with the age of the Internet, says Graydon. She requested the online provider to act accordingly. The

Toxic Hush campaign is supported by both the Canadian government and stakeholders. "Currently, the government is enacting legislation to deal with online hatred. We have a small window and we need to hear from women," Greydon adds.

(To participate in the survey or campaign, please visitinformedopinions.org/stophate)

Landsberg-Lewis, Encourage everyone to mobilize and get together to insist on something "When used to spread hatred and harm, we must do that there is a limit to freedom of expression.

"And we are a strong and critical group of" users "of these platforms, with these discriminatory and timid behind technically promoted anonymity and immunity. Does not support malicious attacks.

Survey respondents reported that Twitter (31%) and Facebook (19%) were the most targeted plates and were abused by email. increase.

"Hate is toxic, and the effects of its silence erode democracy and the free and equitable public conversation on which it depends," Greydon adds.