Awareness of how women are targeted by online sex predators is to be raised with a campaign highlighting the increasing issues of offences including cyberflashing, cyberstalking and threats of rape.
South Yorkshire Police has launched the pioneering ‘Know More’ about online abuse and harassment against woman and girls, as the force attempts to make women safer as they are out and about in the upcoming festive season
The campaign will educate victims – and wider members of the public – that attacks are never “just a joke”, “banter” or “fun” and can have real-life impacts on the women and girls who experience it.
Know More calls out online abuse and harassment by highlighting how it can happen on any digital device and in any location – at home, at work, in town, or on public transport.
It is launched today on International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and focuses on the crimes of cyberflashing, cyberstalking, threats of harm, rape and death, and the intentional sharing of false information online. Some of these are new offences introduced under the Online Safety Act 2023.
Assistant Chief Constable Hayley Barnett said: “Not only do we see violence against women and girls in the real world, but sadly nationwide we’re also witnessing a concerning rise in the number of reports of online abuse and harassment with stalking and harassment accounting for 23% of all online offences.
“But we know it is still heavily underreported, so we’re encouraging everyone to understand the seriousness of these appalling behaviours and recognise them for what they are – crimes that have long lasting implications for victims.
“If we all know more about online abuse and report to police, we can help stop violence against women and girls.”
While all of us are sadly at risk of online harm and abuse from perpetrators, women with a necessarily public online profile, such as influencers, politicians or journalists, are disproportionately affected.
Three quarters of women working in journalism in the UK have experienced rape or death threats, harassment and stalking, according to recently published data.”
The campaign also includes a video recorded by Dr Rebecca Whittington, a journalist who is the online safety officer working for Daily Express’ parent company Reach, who has bravely chosen to share her story of online abuse and the impact on her work and personal life in support of the Know More campaign.
For more information visit: www.nomore-standwithus.com
