Tara Murray
A new Brimbank council online campaign is set to target cyberbullying.
Brimbank council last week announced the campaign, BeKind Online, which aims to highlight issues around online cyberbullying and trolling, and the importance of treating people online like you would in person.
The campaign will include a video that will be shared on social media asking users to join the #bekindonline movement and call out behaviours that do not contribute to meaningful and constructive debate.
The council report said the importance of creating and promoting safe online spaces is particularly relevant in the context of being a council strongly represented by women, with statistics showing women experience significant levels of abuse online.
At the council meeting several councillors shared their experiences of cyberbullying, with others seeing that behaviour online.
Mayor Ranka Rasic said it’s a simple campaign with a big message.
“Kindness matters,” she said. “We all have unique experiences and perspectives to share.
“BeKind online is about creating safe digital spaces where we can share our opinions without being bullied or attacked.
“As the mayor of Brimbank, one of eight female councillors, I have unfortunately experienced online bullying, something that some of my councillors have experienced and it’s far too common for women in general.”
Speaking to Star Weekly, Cr Rasic said since putting her hand up for council she had suffered online bullying.
“I have been subject to so much bullying and harassment and hate speech, particularly on social media.
“I have been made fun of for my accent, the way I speak and how I pronounce certain words.
“Last time I checked Brimbank council is diverse community and we are a melting pot of different nationalities.
“The sad fact a lot of this negative commentary and trolling is coming from other women, during the time we should be encouraging other women to get involved in community and local politics.
“Women like myself and a couple of other councilors are experiencing this abuse and it’s horrible.”
Cr Rasic said she knew when she stood for council, there would be some nasty comments, but said some people had taken it to the extreme and needed to be called out.
Deputy Mayor Jasmine Nguyen, who has been a victim of cyberbullying, said that those words can have horrifying consequences.
Details: youtu.be/pEOzcPwgYKY
