WOMEN with any public profile are frequently the targets of online abuse and acts of aggression, undermining women’s confidence, according to Mallee MP Anne Webster.
On Friday the Parliamentary Friends of Making Social Media Safe held an online forum for female parliamentarians and their staff.
Dr Webster, who is the co-chair of the group and hosted the event, said the forum provided practical advice and support resources for women to increase their protections online.
“Equipping women in leadership and their staffing teams with the resources and advice to maintain their safety online is very important to me,” Dr Webster said.
“Sadly, it is evident that women with any public profile are frequently the targets of online abuse and acts of aggression.
“Research shows that 35 per cent of women experience online abuse as part of their working life.
“One quarter of these women have reported to have withdrawn from leadership as a result.”
Dr Webster said this undermined women’s confidence and could often result in women experiencing amplified stress and anxiety in their roles.
“As a federal representative with a public profile, I have become, unfortunately, familiar with online abuse and aggression,” she said. “Parliamentarians should expect critique as a part of their role, but the increasing abusive behaviour is greatly concerning.
“It is becoming more normalised for people to act aggressively online towards others and it is unacceptable.
“My hope is that my colleagues and staff feel safe and are safe online.”
Dr Webster said it was an important wider community discussion that needed to continue.
The event was part of eSafety’s Women In The Spotlight (WITS) program designed to elevate and protect women’s voices online.
