Employers must protect staff who are subjected to online abuse.

Te Hautū Kahurangi | Tertiary Education Union is sad and frustrated to see media reports that high profile TEU member Siouxsie Wiles is being subjected to a fresh round of public abuse as a result of a crowdfunding campaign to raise money for legal costs.

Siouxsie told Stuff “there’s people making comments about my hair, about my weight. There’s people sending me pictures of nooses. They range from people who want me arrested and prosecuted to hanged.”

Te Pou Ahurei Takirua – Ahumahi | Assistant National Secretary – Industrial, Daniel Benson-Guiu described the continued online abuse sustained by Siouxsie, other high-profile academics and student politicians as “deeply concerning. These attacks not only raise serious health and safety concerns, but they also have a chilling effect on academic freedom.”

“Online abuse is designed to silence the people who it’s directed at – and it works. Siouxsie and others have talked about the changes to their online presence they have had to make to keep themselves and their families safe.”

“We continue to remind employers that they have a legal obligation to keep their employees safe at work and we strongly urge Waipapa Taumata Rau | The University of Auckland to learn the lessons of previous mistakes and ensure they protect all staff who are subjected to online abuse.”

“It’s also important to note for members that one of the benefits of union membership is advocacy and legal support in employment disputes. The Union's Organisers and Industrial staff are experts in advising on and resolving employment disputes and Legal Counsel that will support you with winnable cases."