Leicestershire police refused to prosecute this person for harassment because they argued that as someone in the public eye, I should expect to be on the receiving end of behaviour like this. There was no recognition of the impact this could have on my children or of the danger that this poses to a free and fair democratic debate. In essence, they argued my job as a politician makes my children fair game for anyone and everyone who disagrees with what I am saying.
In speaking out about this experience, I have heard from women in all different walks of public life who have faced similar behaviour – often stemming from anonymous reports to social services or police. Rather than focusing on those carrying out this harassment, the focus is continually placed on those individuals who are being harassed.
Free speech requires that both sides of a conversation feel able to express themselves equally. It cannot exist in an environment in which half of the debate is living in fear of what the consequences might be for them and their families if they speak out.
Women in the public eye have been the targets for huge amounts of abuse – especially if they are a woman of colour or disabled – just for existing. In trying to tackle this individually, we can’t win – constantly criticised for speaking out, being ‘difficult’ or ‘pushy’ or told to know our limits. Yet then to complain is taken as a sign of weakness, or that we somehow can’t hack it.
No one can have those important debates and the vital scrutiny and stress testing of ideas they offer if we don’t stop the abuse so we can hear the arguments.
That’s why stopping these behaviours has to be a responsibility for everyone, not just those who are targeted. We collectively need to set a clear line beyond which it is no longer debate – it is abuse – and each uphold it. Exactly where we place this line is something which will rightly be a subject for discussion, but a good starting point for should be that our children should be off limits.
We need the police to do better at ensuring that when someone is seeking to go beyond these limits, and act to protect our democracy. If you agree please join us in speaking out and standing with those doing so.
A spokesperson for Leicestershire Police told BBC News: “Leicestershire Police takes any report of harassment extremely seriously and will carry out a full investigation into the report and take the appropriate action.
“The force remains fully committed to keeping women and girls safe, listening to concerns and tackling violence.”
Stella Creasy is the Labour MP for Walthamstow.
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