Today anti-street-harassment group Hollaback is launching Heartmob, a crowdfunded new site designed to help crack down on online harassment.
Speaking to Buzzfeed, Hollaback founder Emily May explained
There is a false dichotomy between online and offline harassment. Both have the same root causes: sexism, racism, and homophobia. And both have the similar effects: They silence victims and cause depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder.
Heartmob encourages people to participate in one of two ways; either as a user willing to offer support to someone experiencing harassment, or as someone looking to document and develop a safety plan for harassment they’re experiencing themselves.
Obviously as with any anti-online-harassment measure, Heartmob won’t be a cure-all, and, although the site is moderated, there’s always the possibility that online jerks might fixate on such a social justice oriented community. Still, in theory I really like the idea of creating a network people can turn to when they need some emotional support in the face of online hate.
Heartmob obviously isn’t a substitution for stricter legislation regarding online harassment or improved reporting measures on social networks, but it might help survivors feel a little less isolated in the meantime.
Thoughts, gang? Could you see yourself getting involved in the Heartmob community?
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