Twitter Silence: Some Protesters Stop Tweeting In Protest At Rape Threats

Is #Twittersilence' A Good Way To Protest?
Twitter Silence
Twitter Silence
PA

Some Twitter users are boycotting the site as a gesture against the violence threats directed at women in recent weeks.

But the woman at the heart of the protests has decided not to take part.

Historian Mary Beard - who became the latest to receive a bomb threat on Saturday - joined the 24-hour boycott, which was championed by writer Caitlin Moran using the hashtag #Twittersilence.

The hashtag was trending in the UK on Sunday morning, as it provoked debate among those who had decided not to join in.

Feminist campaigner Caroline Criado-Perez, who received rape threats that triggered the storm, said she would not be taking part.

"Sorry, but I won't be silenced by anyone. Please respect how my choices, as I respect those of others," she wrote.

It comes after Twitter bosses apologised for the recent abuse directed at several high-profile women.

Tony Wang, general manager of Twitter UK, posted a series of tweets today saying abuse was "simply not acceptable".

He wrote: "I personally apologise to the women who have experienced abuse on Twitter and for what they have gone through

"The abuse they've received is simply not acceptable. It's not acceptable in the real world, and it's not acceptable on Twitter. There is more we can and will be doing to protect our users against abuse. That is our commitment."

Close

What's Hot