Local Government NSW (LGNSW) has called for stronger action to protect women in public office from abuse after a new survey revealed that nearly 90% have experienced online abuse or intimidation linked to their political participation
The findings from the Women for Election (WFE) survey found 82% of women had changed their behaviour and half (50%) questioned whether they would run again or should have sought elected office at all due to the abuse.
The survey heard from 110 Australian women who hold elected office or are running for office across all levels of government.
LGNSW Director and Deputy Mayor of the Blue Mountains City Council, Romola Hollywood said the findings highlight a serious threat to local democracy.
“These findings should alarm anyone who cares about the future of local democracy. Councillors, mayors and candidates are local people who put their hands up to serve their communities, often while juggling work, family and volunteer commitments,” Cr Hollywood said.
“No councillor, mayor or candidate should have to endure abuse, harassment or intimidation simply because she has chosen to serve her community.
“I have personally experienced many abusive comments on social media, including threats with intent to harm me, which I reported to the NSW Police, and they dealt with it from there.
“This is not an individual problem. It is a systemic threat to democratic participation. The real cost is measured in the skilled women who decide not to run for council, nominate for Mayor or seek re-election because the personal toll is too high.
“Women make an enormous contribution to Local Government as Councillors, Mayors, Executives and council staff. But gendered abuse and intimidation discourage strong female candidates from standing for office or applying for executive roles.”
Other key findings from the survey included:
• 94% of survey respondents believe online abuse is discouraging capable women from entering politics;
• 82% have changed their behaviour because of online abuse, and of those 58% have limited their social media use, 36% have increased security measures and 34% have taken time away from campaigning or public life;
• 50% say that, knowing what they know now, they are unsure they would run again or would not have run at all;
• 76% believe online abuse of women in politics has increased over the past two years;
• 64% say that online abuse has made them less likely to run for office again, seek higher office or encourage other women to run;
• 45% have had family members or campaign supporters targeted because of their political involvement;
• Only 47% of those who experienced abuse reported it and, of those, 69% were dissatisfied with the response they received;
• 65% have personally experienced or witnessed AI generated abuse, deepfakes or manipulated content targeting women in public life, and 98% are concerned AI will make the problem worse over the next five years.
Women for Election CEO, Licia Heath said the findings should serve as a wakeup call for Australia.
“If capable women are choosing not to run, not to speak, or to leave public office because of relentless online abuse, Australian democracy is at risk,” she said.
“Women in politics are Australia’s canaries in the coalmine. When women are silenced, democracy suffers and this impacts all of us.”
Councillor Hollywood said LGNSW had consistently advocated for stronger protections against harassment and intimidation of elected representatives and council staff, and is calling on governments and social media companies to strengthen safeguards, improve reporting mechanisms and ensure public office holders can access appropriate support.
“No woman should have to choose between serving her community and protecting herself or her family from abuse. We cannot allow abuse and intimidation to become accepted as part of public life,” she said.
