Damning study of online abuse of female MPs shows urgent legal reform is needed

THREE KEY FACTS Women MPs face increasing misogynistic, racist, and sexual online abuse, causing fear and distress. The Harmful Digital Communications Act struggles with anonymous, volumetric harassment, often involving VPNs. Experts recommend new regulations, similar to the EU and UK, to hold social media companies accountable.

Women MPs are increasingly targets of misogynistic, racist and sexual online abuse , but New Zealand’s legal framework to protect them is simply not fit for purpose. Recently released research found online threats of physical and sexual violence have caused those MPs to feel fearful, anxious and distressed. Some included in the study said the harassment led to them self-censoring, using social media less often, and considering leaving politics early .



But the current legal framework is not well equipped to address the nature or volume of the online harassment aimed at MPs..