Laws are necessary against such online sexual harassment, violence, abuse and worse, the NOW-Incogni survey reveals. Private social media platforms can’t be trusted to do it themselves, the Institute reports. And the survey results back that up.
The research, undertaken by the National Organization for Women and Incogni, demonstrated just how digital online spaces have given rise to new challenges that “pose a particular threat to women in the U.S.,” with 1 in 4 American women experiencing online abuse, and 1 in 8 indicating that “they suffered from cybercrimes resulting from having personal data available online.”
“I am really concerned that we are going to see their following grow and more of their followers feel like they’re going to be invincible,” said Christian F. Nunes, the president of the National Organization for Women. Officials and others need to respond by being “vocal defenders” of women and girls, she said.
“Today, we are inaugurating a new president, after much heated politics. NOW members remain committed to the issues that matter to our health, our economic security and our safety. We can’t go back, we won’t go back. No matter what policies are put forward that threaten our safety, security and our future, NOW will be on the front lines to push back.” – Christian F. Nunes
We must keep fighting. After all, our foremothers didn’t stop fighting when they were tired and worn out, thought they would fail, and wanted to give up. We must remember what they were willing to sacrifice for the movement, the fight, and the rights we have now. We can find strength in that.