A new report from Plan International warns that online abuse and harassment of young women and girls is endemic, with Australia having a higher than average rate of online violence, with 65% of girls and young women aged 15-25 reporting abuse and harassment online (compared to the global figure of 58%).
The report warns that half of those who have been harassed online have consequently experienced mental and emotional distress. Please access the report Free to be Online https://www.plan.org.au/publications/free-to-be-online/ Free to be Online is based on a survey of 14,000 girls and women, aged 15-25 in 33 countries, including Australia, Canada, Brazil, Benin, Japan, Zambia the USA and India. The most common forms of online abuse experienced by young women and girls were abusive and insulting language, deliberate embarrassment, body shaming and threats of sexual violence. Harassment and attacks are most common on Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Snapchat, Twitter and TikTok. The consequences of online abuse include fearing for physical safety, low self-esteem, mental and emotional distress. Please visit Plan International https://www.plan.org.au/ |
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