Helping activists feel safe
The impact of online abuse can be significant, and recipients can feel unsafe in their offline lives as a result. Online violence, abuse and threats are often made by people the victim has never met or knows nothing about which creates anxiety, fear, and trauma. There is a very real danger than online abuse can lead to offline violence, and women politicians are particularly at risk of this.
It is important that parties take violence against women seriously and support their members if they feel unsafe as a result of contributing to the work of the party. The welfare of the person receiving abuse is the most important thing and you should make sure they have somewhere safe to go, both in an online and offline context.
Actions you could consider include:
- Offering transport home for candidates and representatives after media appearance;
- Having a peer support or buddy system to ensure that candidates are contacted after media appearances;
- Reviewing security at party offices and considering installing controlled door entry and panic alarm systems;
- Having an up to date lone working policy for the party;
- Using ID badges for staff and volunteers at party offices;
- Providing opportunities for activists to discuss safety and how local parties can support them;
Parties should also make members aware of how to minimise the chance of doxing (where personal information such as an address is revealed online as a form of harassment). This could include encouraging members and candidates to be careful posting pictures or information that could reveal where you live, where their children go to school etc. Training can be provided for candidates, for example from Fix the Glitch, about how to remove personal information from the internet.
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