Proudly Safe SA
ENHANCING E-SAFETY AND COMMUNITY CONNECTION FOR LGBTIQA+ YOUNG PEOPLE
Taking action when you see something wrong
If you witness adult cyber abuse or online hate, don’t ignore it.
Take action.
You can take action to support others in the LGBTIQA+ community online by going from being a bystander to an upstander. There are many ways to do this, depending on your style and what you feel comfortable doing. One way to help is by sending a direct message to check in on someone’s well-being. If it feels safe and appropriate, you could also speak out against bad behaviour online
At first, I received some positive feedback from others who agreed with my views. However, it wasn’t long before the trolls descended. They started attacking me, calling me names, and saying that I was “confused” and “didn’t understand the real world.” They even went so far as to make personal attacks against me, calling me “mentally ill” and “a danger to society.” Other people started to step in and offer their support, sharing their own stories and experiences of being bullied and attacked for their beliefs. I was inspired by their bravery and resilience, and I realised that I was not alone in my journey.
– Josiah*