Fed up: Local candidate highlights constant harassment online

A GIPPSLAND South candidate has taken to social media to highlight the incessant harassment they have been experiencing since launching their campaign for the state election.

Jay Tiziani-Simpson announced last month she had been selected to run for the Greens party, but since this time, she has experienced a barrage of inappropriate and sexually suggestive emails and messages.

Last week, Jay posted on social media that was she was calling out ‘gender discrimination in politics’, highlighting a speech made by former Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

“We all remember that powerful speech made by former PM Julia Gillard exactly 10 years ago today, about sexism and misogyny in politics, “If he wants to know what misogynism looks like in modern Australia, he doesn’t need a motion in the house of representatives, he needs a mirror!”

“Gender equality is a major passion of mine, it is also one of the reasons I chose to run as a candidate.
“I have many female friends, across all parties, who all receive the same disgusting, sexist, misogynistic, offensive harassment! From inappropriate comments, to receiving sexual solicitations and vile videos.”

The Sentinel-Times contacted Jay asking when she started noticing the harassment.

“I got it a lot on my personal page until I switched it to private,” she said.

“But I wasn’t expecting to receive it on my candidate page, from the second I launched it’s just been relentless.

“One in three emails I get is legitimate, so two of the three have just been some sleezy email.”

Jay said she was shocked to receive such harassment on a professional page, and that it continues to be ongoing.

“It’s almost like the email starts off legitimate and they’re reaching out to assist my campaign,” she said.

“They’re using it as a starting point and then it takes a turn and they start commenting on my appearance or asking me out on dates.”

While difficult to gauge, she highlighted most of the harassment appeared to be from older men.

“It’s very frustrating, I’ve asked other women, including in the Greens, and they’ve also received it,” she said.

“And then asked my male colleagues, some of them said they get a few odd comments, but some were completely taken back and didn’t realise this was happening.”
Jay added the situation has got to the point where she is now cautious about what she posts online, including which events she’s attending. 

Fortunately, however, she has received much praise for highlighting the issue.

The Sentinel-Times also contacted Deb Leonard, who ran as an independent for Monash during the Federal Election earlier this year.

Deb noted that while she experienced a lot of online ‘trolling’, sexual harassment wasn’t as much of an issue.

“It’s a shame that other people are doing it and that people think it’s okay to do that,” she said of Jay’s experience.

Deb added it was also an issue that definitely needed to be addressed.

If you need help or advice, call 1800Respect on 1800 737732, Safe Steps 1800 015 188, Gippsland Centre Against Sexual Assault on 1800737 732 or Men’s Referral Service on1300 766 491. You can chat online 24/7 at1800respect.org.au