Call to boycott Twitter after Rape threats sent to Caroline Criado-Perez

She's the woman who's just won the campaign to make sure we will see a female face on bank notes from 2017, but Caroline Criado-Perez is now facing a backlash of vile, misogynist abuse on social network Twitter.

rape

by Ellie Hooper |
Published on

The journalist and feminist campaigner has received 'upto 50 rape threats an hour' since the announcement that the Bank of England will put Jane Austen on bank notes in four years time.

One user wrote: 'Hey sweetheart, give me a call when you're ready to be put in your place,' whilst other more graphic tweets described the act of rape itself.

But rather than ignore the abuse, Caroline has started a petition on Change.org, calling for Twitter to address the issue of abuse on it's site.

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She has received backing from journalists Caitlin Moran, Hadley Freeman, Laurie Penny and Owen Jones, plus comedian Dar O Brain and former deputy MP John Prescott.

Comedian Dara O'Brien wrote: 'If the ladies leave twitter because of all the dumb, rapey 14 year old boyd, then I'm outta here people. Like Most grown-up men too, I'd say.'

How to be a Woman author Caitlin Moran has suggested Tweeters leave the site on August 4th in solidarity with Caroline and other victims of such abuse.

Twitter manager Tony Wang said in a statement: 'We take abuse seriously and will investigate reports' adding: 'We encourage users to report an account for violation of the Twitter rules by using one of our report forms.'

Unsatisfied, Caroline responded: 'Thanks 4 commenting @TonyW, but you need to review your procedure. Report process too protracted for someone receiving a tidal wave of abuse.'

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