Is Online Harassment Nearing Epidemic Proportions for Young Australian Women?
Our survey showed a staggering 3 in 4 women (76%) under 30 have experienced some form of online harassment. Almost half (47%) of all Australian women have been targets.
Norton by Symantec’s Melissa Dempsey, Tara Moss, Norton Ambassador, and beyondblue CEO Georgie Harman discuss the results of our survey Online Harassment: the Australian Woman’s Experience
Norton’s survey highlights how significant online harassment is in our society
- Nearly half (47%) of Australian women experienced online harassment in the past year, but this figure rises to 76% for women under 30
- 70% of women believe online harassment and abuse is a significant problem; 60% believe it has got worse in the past year
- Threats of physical violence–including death, rape and sexual assault–impact 1 in 7 women, rising to 1 in 4 young women
“While International Women’s Day is a day to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of all women, it’s also a day to focus on issues that need to be addressed. As a community, we need to speak up against all forms of violence, including acts of harassment in the online world.”
Tara Moss, Norton Brand Ambassador,
Author, Journalist, Social Activist
Follow our ‘three Rs’ to tackle online harassment
- Do no respond to the perpetrator
- Keep records and evidence
- Check your security and privacy settings
- Protect your mobile devices
- Regularly change passwords
- Something that is inappropiate or deemed as harassment immediately
- Contact organisations such as beyondblue for help with the emotional impact
“beyondblue’s work is increasingly being carried out in the digital world which makes our partnership with Norton more important than ever. Cyberbullying can have a long-lasting impact and it can be a risk factor for depression, anxiety and suicide. It’s important we look out for each other, both in the physical and online world, and try to tackle online harassment to help improve and potentially save lives.”
Georgie Harman, CEO beyondblue
Coping with the emotional toll of online harassment
If you’re concerned about the impact of online harassment, visit beyondblue where you can find out about depression and anxiety, available support and how to stay well. You can also:
- complete a simple anxiety and depression checklist
- find support in beyondblue’s online forums
- chat with a mental health professional
Youthbeyondblue has more information specifically for young people including:
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