Attacks on Jess Phillips show how online abuse of women is intended to keep them out of the public square
Source: The Conversation
British MP Jess Phillips describing the online attacks she has received from Elon Musk in recent days as “very, very, very tiring” will have struck a chord with many women. Powerful men trying to silence women happens so often that it rarely makes news.
But Musk’s comments calling Phillips, who currently serves as safeguarding minister, a “rape genocide apologist” and saying she should be in prison has brought the online abuse of women politicians, and the danger that it presents, back into sharp focus.
Never before has an overseas tech mogul (who happens to be the world’s richest man) targeted government ministers and MPs for personal abuse like this. The accusations have encouraged others to attack Phillips, posing a very real threat to her safety. Phillips has reportedly been assigned close protection officers and been told not to go out in public alone.
Read here the full article published by The Conversation on 10 January 2025.
Image by The Conversation
British MP Jess Phillips describing the online attacks she has received from Elon Musk in recent days as “very, very, very tiring” will have struck a chord with many women. Powerful men trying to silence women happens so often that it rarely makes news.
But Musk’s comments calling Phillips, who currently serves as safeguarding minister, a “rape genocide apologist” and saying she should be in prison has brought the online abuse of women politicians, and the danger that it presents, back into sharp focus.
Never before has an overseas tech mogul (who happens to be the world’s richest man) targeted government ministers and MPs for personal abuse like this. The accusations have encouraged others to attack Phillips, posing a very real threat to her safety. Phillips has reportedly been assigned close protection officers and been told not to go out in public alone.
Read here the full article published by The Conversation on 10 January 2025.
Image by The Conversation