Rape Threats on Twitter

[BitBewildered]

I've just seen this story on the BBC news app. I've not been on Twitter very much lately and am off to have a look now, but at first glance, what the actual fuck?!

www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-23477130

Mostly men though I would think?

I know this isn't the answer but you can block misogynists on twitter if you want blockbot Shouldn't be needed though

Not keen on the the Blockbot, as it also blocks feminists with whom the admins do not agree.

Good tip thanks. But threats of violence can't be allowed to stand just cos someone is hiding behind a pseudonym. The law is the law, we need all internet companies to put in their T and C "your name will be revealed if you break the law by threatening violence or spewing misogynistic, homophobic, racist or disabilist bile"

Oh yes, mostly men. Just think downplaying it by giving it an adolescent slant sounds somehow forgiving.
I think they should consider age restrictions on these sites though, the way they are going. If you are 18 then you have to act like an adult and be accountable for your threats by law. No one under 12 should be subjected to anonymous bile even if it is 2nd hand and directed at someone else.

I tweeted about it - replying to something that one person had said and in return i got several tweets back basically calling me a liar when I said being white and male was a really privileged position to be in. I had to block people! Scared me a bit actually as I don't use twitter much and now I am worried.

I am not sure I agree with the panic button idea though, not after seeing how facebook deals with Misogyny (or rather fails to) and Breastfeeding :(

My favourite Twitter story is where a teenage boy was (anonymously) abusing a top sportsman and ex boxer. Through friends of friends of friends, the boxer discovered troll's address, tweeted it, and also tweeted that he was on his way round to pay a visit. At which point the abusive tweets turned into abject apologies!

Like vampires, shining the light of publicity on them, and naming them publicly, dries up the threats.

That is the problem though - they can't see it from their ivory towers. However there is a movement to talk to boys more from a young age here www.upworthy.com/the-problem-facing-young-men-that-needs-to-become-a-household-conversation?c=mrp1 which I think is important to get behind. It's the perpetuation of the current ideals that is the problem. Most men who have seen the link above seem to agree with it although I suspect that they would then still deny having privileges

I love the fact that in the Mary Beard case the troll was forced to apologise by a threat to tell his mother :o Whoever thought of that is a genius - using his respect for the powerful female figure in his life to scare the bejesus out of the 20-year-old in question.

The guy who was posting those tweets sick ended up going on national TV to apologise, it was good to watch. He wasn't a teenager either must have been late twenties at least.

Oooh is there a link to that better?

Boxer went to the end of troll's street and tweeted a picture of the sign. That's when he got nervous! He offered £1k for the troll's details and got them almost immediately!

It's on this programme:

www.channel4.com/programmes/dont-blame-facebook/4od

Lots of exclamation marks. I was a little too excited there.

Tunip the Blockbot admin says he blocks anti-trans and sex worker radical feminists if they are being offensive. He's on Newsnight later BTW. (He's my brother so I have inside info )

I don't think much of his judgement as to what constitutes 'offensive'

also - a small but important point - radfems are anti sex-work, not anti sex worker. Maybe your brother ought to find out a bit more about the radfem position on prostitution, if he doesn't get the difference.

I think he's aware of that.

I don't know much about who he blocks for what but he runs it so I guess it's up to him to decide who he thinks is offensive. I told him what you said upthread and he said 'fair enough'.

I agree LadyBigtoes that this is shining a spotlight on what some men think of women (particularly vocal, forward women who have opinions). I am glad this issue is receiving media attention, and perhaps some good will come of it, but I hate that some of the media seem to be minimising the misogyny demonstrated.

Freedom of speech is something we need to protect. Surely it is right for there to be consequences for people who make direct threats against another party though, even if the threat is made online?

here it is hahahahaha

"Grow a thicker skin or simply get off Twitter."

Translation: Women, STFU about male violent threats. If you're not prepared to put up with men threatening to rape you, you shouldn't be on the internet. Get out of public space, when we talk about freedom of speech, we don't mean your's.

Re that last link, kudos to them both actually. The boxer tracked the guy down and made him face up to what he was doing, the guy not only apologised but went on national TV to apologise to him face to face and seemed to genuinely feel like a twat and intended to never do it again. OK it wasn't a case of misogyny, just general abusiveness but it gives me hope that it will get though to the perpetrators that it's not on and what effects it has.

basil I'd say that translation is spot on.

Do you think all this publicity will encourage MN to get wiser about handling MRAs who turn up on the feminism boards spouting hate? In the past, sometimes they've deleted the person being attacked, and ignored the attacker. I get that it's hard, that the attacker has reported one post and the person at MN who is looking at it hasn't considered the whole thread and each post made by the attacker, but still...

Agree lady shining the light on any abusive actions does change thingsm- for me it the basic rule of actions having consequences and I think it also does show that people can change. We can't give up hope. I think kudos to them both - I think not to give credit to both would be wrong and it is good you point that out.
edam I think all this publicty is good on so many levels. Caroline has lead the way with such a strong and firm stance. Not everyone has those skills, she knew she was representing those who can't do that and my god the impact has been felt, many I presume will still be running for cover. I hope that MN will get wiser too. It does demonstrate what can be done to improve things and that things can improve. It gives me and I hope others too strength.