Trolls, Dick Pics, Revenge Porn: online harassment   23 Sep 2016

Auckland Women’s Centre

Media Release

23 September 2016

Trolls, Dick Pics, Revenge Porn:
online harassment against women

If you’re online, on social media and a woman in New Zealand, it’s highly likely you’ve experienced online harassment. This type of harassment is at epidemic levels with almost ¾ of women under the age of 30, and half of all Kiwi women affected.

Auckland Women’s Centre is hosting a public forum to address this pertinent issue on Tuesday 27 September in Western Springs. Speakers, Pani Farvid, Lizzie Marvelly and Richie Hardcore will discuss the following areas of concern:

* What do we know about online misogyny?

* Why is it becoming more common?

* What can we do to stop it?

Senior AUT Psychology Lecturer, Dr Pani Farvid, says online harassment of women ranges from unsolicited ‘dick pics’ and character assassinations, to threats of physical violence, rape and death.

“It is part of a larger systemic issue that urgently requires more social and political attention”.

Auckland Women’s Centre Manager, Leonie Morris says online harassment is affecting women from all walks of life.

”We see the significant toll on women through our support services with the number of calls from women facing online harassment on the increase in recent years. This is a public conversation that is well over-due.”

Ms Morris said the Auckland Women’s Centre is thrilled to be hosting the forum. “With such a strong line-up of speakers who have expertise in this area, it’s going to be a great event.” More than 200 attendees are expected to attend the forum.

Facilitated by journalist, broadcaster and author, Alison Mau, the event is free and open to all genders.

Facilitator: Alison Mau, journalist, broadcaster, author of First Lady (Upstart Press 2015)

Speakers:

Lizzie Marvelly, Ngati Whakaue, writer, editor of @TheVillainesse, NZ Herald columnist, musician, activist

Dr Pani Farvid, Senior Lecturer at AUT (critical psychology of gender & sexuality), promoting egalitarianism within heterosexuality, disrupting the gender binaries associated with heterosexuality

Richie Hardcore, board member at Rape Prevention Education, White Ribbon New Zealand, passionate campaigner against gender based violence

Tues 27 Sept, 7pm – 9pm

Western Springs Garden Community Hall

956 Great North Rd, Western Springs

Auckland Women’s Centre

The Auckland Women's Centre provides affordable quality welfare and support services, personal development and learning opportunities, community development programmes, and collective advocacy on women’s issues.

For more information visit: www.awc.org.nz.

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