Why trolls resort to rape threats, slut shaming and sexist jokes on Twitter, Facebook and other social media

Women are not going to stop and give in to their online abusers. Trolls need to get this message!

By: Debjani Arora | | Updated: May 9, 2017 6:17 pm

If you’re on Twitter or Facebook, you’ll have definitely noticed how Barkha Dutt, Rana Ayyub, Sagarika Ghose, Anushka Sharma and many other influential women, have been victims of trolling and online abuse at one point or the other. Trolls give rape threats, death threats and make degrading comments on their timeline when women voice their strong opinions. This kind of abuse is done brazenly. A few months ago, Gurmeher Kaur was at the receiving end of rape threats when she voiced her opinion about war and Pakistan on a YouTube channel. Many women who are trolled, in fact, make it a point to mention on their bios on Twitter and Facebook that they will block anyone who indulges in these abusive messages. Also Read - Post-traumatic stress disorder: You eyes can reveal your past traumatic experiences

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What is the logic behind these rape threats and online abuse that trolls indulge in? What do they gain? Dr Sanghanayak Meshram, psychiatrist and sexologist, Mumbai, explains, ‘Threat is a form of domination. Rape threat to a woman is a violent one. It is a means used by trolls to avert rejection of their own ideologies and radical views. It is difficult for most men still reeling under the patriarchal sentiments to accept rejection or a different point of view from their own belief system.’ Also Read - Top 5 irreversible health conditions that STIs can give you

‘Online abusers who humiliate women with rape threat do it because it gives them a high, it makes them feel powerful. The play of power is addictive. If someone believes that his existence or power is in reference to someone else’s weakness, he will want to dominate the other with some form of threat when he feels violated,’ says Ruksheda Syeda, consultant psychiatrist and TEDx speaker.

In a society where we are still fighting to overcome dominance over women in many ways, the freedom social media allows us, doesn’t go down too well with a bunch of hypocrites. Freedom of speech is also an expression of the acquired strength which women have cultivated after years of fighting the male supremacy and tyranny. ‘A rape threat runs deep into the woman’s psyche and an abuser knows that this can scar her at multiple levels – her dignity, her social standing and her family pride (unfortunately the girl’s family will always be shamed). This threat is more impactful than just scaring someone with a threat of a slap which is also a physical threat,’ she says. So when one can get away with scaring her very soul and still be unaffected by the consequences, why not threaten her repeatedly till she stops to voice her opinions, is the logic by which the trolls swear. The other way of trying to silence women is slut shamming her on social media.

Can’t shun our voices

Women voicing their opinions – radical and progressive — don’t seek validation online. Their articulate expressions and progressive thoughts tell it loud and clear that they, with their opinions, are here to stay whether you like it or not. ‘Nobody can predict the behaviour of people around you. It is essential that women don’t retract their steps and keep raising their voice against inequality and discrimination. They need to make a noise to express their opinions. If there are thousands of voices ridiculing them, we should make sure there are ten thousand voices supporting them too,’ says Ruksheda. Unfortunately, not many women get the support and empathy they need from fellow women when it comes to fighting online abuse and trolls. Like in the real world, even in the virtual world, we are turning out to be mute spectators.

Why trolls do what they do

Trolls, till now, could get away with their crimes. In fact, online abuse till now wasn’t even considered a form of abuse but just a show of discrimination and mockery. But things are changing; recently a man who sent Rana Ayyub, a journalist and author of the book Gujarat Riots: Anatomy of a cover up, abusive messages with sexual overtones on Facebook was sacked by the company where he worked after she exposed him on Twitter. Bincylal Balachandran, 31, who worked with Alpha Paints in Dubai as a customer service employee was reportedly sacked when complaints of his behaviour reached his employers and apparently, he was deported to India. However, no arrests or action have been made yet for GurMeher Kaur’s online abusers. ‘Most people have started to believe that rape threats on women have no consequences but have a greater impact, because our society has, for long, victimised the victims and suppressed and shamed them to live with the trauma forever. So, trolls think that inflicting rape threats is the safe and effective way of expressing their anger,’ mentions Dr Meshram.

Even with cyber crime cells and redressal forums initiated by women and child development minister Maneka Gandhi, not enough has been done. This amplifies the beliefs and actions of these abusers. ‘Most of the time these online abusers are not anti-social elements, they are usually people who are into white collar jobs and who are resistant to change. Since the abuser in the online war remains hidden, it becomes easier for them to express their hypocrisy without being judged,’ says Dr Meshram.

Need of the hour

Obviously, from what we see, we need stringent laws and regulations to book these online trolls and abusers who hide behind fake online identities and try to defame and degrade women. ‘We should stop ridiculing men who come across as trolls. Remember ridiculing them is a natural reaction but has no impact in the long run. Also, teaching men (read online trolls and abusers) to be empathetic towards women because they have daughters and mothers, is also not going to be effective. By saying this, we imply in subtle undertones that women need protection from men as they are weak and they seek respect because they are someone’s mother or daughter. This isn’t the message that should go out. Instead, women are individuals who should be respected without the tag of the relationship they share with men,’ says Dr Syeda. Instead, she believes that compassion and empathy can help men see the right from wrong and stop this behaviour of online abuse.

But we know that it is too much to expect. However, booking an abuser or inflicting stringent punishment (like it happened in Rana Ayyub’s case) can help women gain some respite and uphold their views on social media platforms without being ridiculed. Such landmark decisions by government and authorities can help women fight the wave of online abuse and look for justice in the right direction.

Image source: Shutterstock

Published : May 8, 2017 6:40 pm | Updated:May 9, 2017 6:17 pm

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