Weird, gross, horrible little men

Should New Zealand treat misogyny as extremism?

This morning a headline jumped out at me on RNZ - Should New Zealand treat misogyny as extremism?

Immediately from the depths of my gut said “YES”. Please yes. We have to address the misogyny in this country. And we have to deal with the misogynist men who will not leave women alone.

For nearly a decade I have faced abuse from men online that has included violent sexual threats, murderous fantasies and just plain creepy behaviour. I have men who for years have been fixated on me. Every time I think they’re over their obsession, these men (who I have never interacted with) start up again.

Earlier this year, a reader sent me a message saying a person who had for at least six years been harassing me online had accidentally posted under their real account instead of their sock puppet account. Their name seemed familiar but I couldn’t place it. I showed my husband and he went white.