EXCLUSIVE: As Emily Atack speaks out on sexual harassment in a hard-hitting documentary, OK! investigates what action is being taken to prevent the abuse of women and girls online…
Just as the issue of sexual harassment in the offline world has gained traction in recent years, so too has the notion of online sexual harassment. Referring to behaviour including the sending of explicit and unwanted comments, messages, photos or videos, both publicly and privately, Amnesty International UK found that one in five women in the UK have experienced online harassment, with half of those saying the content was sexist or misogynistic.
But it’s not just those in the public eye who are victims of online public sexual harassment. It can happen to anyone, regardless of their age, who has access to the internet. In fact, 76% of girls aged 12-18 have been sent unsolicited nude images of boys or men, according to research by UCL’s Institute of Education.
From “d*ck pics” to explicit messages from clients, to messages objectifying her body, the 28-year-old says it’s a part of her daily life. This is something Jane can relate to. “I’d love to grow a following on social media, but I hate the idea of putting myself out there. I’ve completely ditched dating apps and on Facebook, you have to be friends with mutual friends to be able to send me a request,” she says. “My Instagram is private, but even there I’ve hidden my Story from 800 people.”
However, when it comes to tackling the problem, the answer isn’t straightforward. The notion of creating safer online spaces for women and girls is at the centre of conversations regarding the Online Safety Bill, a new set of laws to protect children and adults online, making social media companies more responsible for their users’ safety.
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