Female MPs at higher risk of abuse: study

• Published date: 18 April 2024
• Publication title: Otago Daily Times (New Zealand)

University of Otago research shows 53 of the 54 MPs (98%) who participated in its study had experienced abuse from members of the public during the Covid-19 pandemic and recovery

Lead author and University of Otago (Wellington) professor of psychological medicine Susanna Every-Palmer said compared with a similar study in 2014, all forms of harassment had increased significantly.

The harassment experienced had significant psychosocial costs and required a multi-pronged response.

‘‘Most MPs reported experiencing abuse related to the government response to the Covid-19 pandemic, such as lockdowns and vaccine mandates.

‘‘Many of them commented that the frequency and intensity of abuse increased markedly during the pandemic and had not subsequently abated.

‘‘Disturbingly, women were at significantly higher risk of certain types of social media harassment, including gendered abuse, sexualised comments, threat of sexual violence, and threats toward their family.’’

Of the participants, 96% had been harassed over social media, which included threats of physical violence (40%), sexual violence (14%), threats made towards MPs’ family members (19%), threats towards staff (12%), and death threats (27%), she said.

MPs said much of the online harassment was racist, misogynistic, and extreme-right rhetoric, leaving them fearing they or someone close to them might be attacked, seriously hurt or killed.

It also left them...