Online Safety Bill Must Strengthen Protections for Women and Girls, Say Survivors

Strategic Insights -

Survivors of online grooming and exploitation have urged Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to strengthen the Online Safety Bill, as they claim technology companies have ignored and overlooked the violence they face. A group of online safety campaigners, including former Love Island contestant Sharon Gaffka, TV presenter Charlie Webster, and presenter and activist Natasha Devon, have written to the Prime Minister to repeat calls for a mandatory violence against women and girls (VAWG) code of practice in the Bill.

The group has stated that technology companies have failed to recognize the risks posed by their platforms, designed systems exposing them to significant harm, and made it unsafe for them to report their abuse. They argue that a code of practice would guide online services in tackling VAWG online, ensuring the prevention of harm is built into platforms.

A survey commissioned by the NSPCC suggests that the vast majority of people (79%) think the Bill should take specific action to protect women and girls from violence and harmful content online. The online YouGov survey of 2,031 adults highlights the overwhelming public support for the campaign.

Key Takeaways:

  • A group of online safety campaigners, including Sharon Gaffka, Charlie Webster, and Natasha Devon, have written to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak to urge him to strengthen the Online Safety Bill.
  • The group claims that technology companies have ignored and overlooked the violence they face, and have failed to recognize the risks posed by their platforms.
  • The group argues that a mandatory violence against women and girls (VAWG) code of practice in the Bill would guide online services in tackling VAWG online and ensure the prevention of harm is built into platforms.
  • A survey commissioned by the NSPCC suggests that 79% of people think the Bill should take specific action to protect women and girls from violence and harmful content online.
  • The Online Safety Bill was debated in the House of Lords, with peers pushing for changes to hold tech companies accountable for protecting users, particularly children.
  • Proposed changes include requiring platforms to produce risk assessments and take necessary steps to prevent children from accessing harmful material.

Statistics:

  • 79% of people think the Bill should take specific action to protect women and girls from violence and harmful content online (Source: NSPCC survey by YouGov).
  • 2,031 adults participated in the online YouGov survey commissioned by the NSPCC (Source: NSPCC press release).
  • The Online Safety Bill is being debated in the House of Lords (Source: House of Lords website).

Sources:

  • NSPCC press release
  • NSPCC survey by YouGov
  • House of Lords website