It follows a deluge of abuse and rape threats received by Caroline Criade Perez, who successfully campaigned for women to be included on UK bank notes.
Ms Criado-Perez, who had appeared in the media to campaign for women to feature on banknotes, said the abusive tweets began the day it was announced that author Jane Austen would appear on the newly designed £10 note.
She reported them to the police after receiving "about 50 abusive tweets an hour for about 12 hours" and said she had "stumbled into a nest of men who co-ordinate attacks on women".
An online petition has been started in response to the abuse Ms Criado-Perez received calling for Twitter to introduce a "report abuse" button. It had been signed by more than 9,000 people by 15:00 BST on Saturday.
The petition says: "Abuse on Twitter is common; sadly too common. And it frequently goes ignored. We need Twitter to recognise that its current reporting system is below required standards.
Ms Criado-Perez's cause has been supported by other prominent tweeters, including the journalists Caitlin Moran and Suzanne Moore and Independent columnist Owen Jones.
Nigerians, I so believe this is a good innovation coming up and should be welcomed whole-heartedly. if you have a divergence view about it you are free to air your view. However, I'm of the strong opinion the likes of the twitter feud between Tonto Dikeh and Mercy Johnson will have limitation if this is implemented.
Its highly not necessary for such a country we look up to, to portray gender inequality in that regard. Here in Nigeria at least we have women on some of our banknotes like #50. I think its even a wake up call for twitter to include the 'report abuse' button. Ms perez, I'm surely in support of your petition. Carry on.
ReplyDeleteYes! Plans are on ground to include the 'report abuse' button.
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