ACT Police Minister Confronts Daily Misogyny and Threats as 'Unfortunate' Reality of Public Office
Posting a seemingly innocent photo of a morning bike ride on social media has become a catalyst for an unending torrent of threats and misogynistic abuse directed at the ACT's Minister for Police and Women. This disturbing pattern, described by Minister Marisa Paterson as an "unfortunate part of the job," mirrors a broader and escalating trend of gendered violence within the community, as revealed in an exclusive interview with The Canberra Times.
Online Vitriol Spills into Physical Spaces
A recent image shared by Minister Paterson cycling to work attracted vile comments such as "typical woke c---" and "f off ya sleazy woke dei chic." She lamented the "sad reality" of such hateful remarks, which often extend to threats against her loved ones, a situation she says is particularly acute for women in Australian public life. "[Anonymous users] are just using the fact I have an online profile to take the opportunity to write things that are pretty awful ... there's an endless stream of them," Minister Paterson stated.
The minister emphasised that this toxic behaviour is not confined to digital spaces. During a recent community street stall in her local area, where she typically feels "very safe," she was subjected to abusive yelling from three different men within a mere two-hour span. "This is my community, and I'm doing a job," she expressed. "I love my community but there are times when people definitely make me feel very, very unsafe ... I need to stand up against that."
Alarming Rise in Family Violence Reports
In her capacity overseeing the prevention of domestic and family violence, Minister Paterson disclosed a concerning year-on-year increase in reported incidents, including sexual violence. During the 2024-25 period, ACT Policing received 4,478 reports related to family violence, pushing the daily average from 11 to 12 calls. "That is a deeply disturbing and distressing problem we're facing in the community ... it is a disturbing trend across Australia and across the world, seeing increases in violence towards women, particularly gender-based violence," she remarked.
To combat this issue, the ACT government is developing a comprehensive domestic, family and sexual violence strategy, slated for release later this year.
Consent Education Campaign Provokes Backlash
In a related development, an affirmative consent campaign run by the ACT government from July to October 2025 faced significant vandalism, being labelled one of the "most destroyed" campaigns in the territory's history. The posters sustained double the average damage rate, with 83 percent of the destruction occurring in men's bathrooms.
Tiffany Karlsson, chief executive of the Canberra Rape Crisis Centre, interpreted this backlash as a sign the message was hitting its mark. "The deliberate destruction of materials tells us this messaging is reaching people who need to hear it most, and it is provoking a reaction. It also tells us that there is more work to be done," Ms Karlsson said. She argued that "education that provokes no reaction might not effect change," urging continued investment in consent education, especially in resistant environments where it is most needed.
Support Services Under Sustained Pressure
The Canberra Rape Crisis Centre reported handling over 11,000 calls and emails, facilitating more than 500 face-to-face appointments, and providing nearly 1,800 counselling sessions to over 1,200 clients in 2024-25. "This sustained demand reflects both the prevalence of sexual violence in our community and the trust people place in our services," Ms Karlsson noted. The crisis line operates daily from 7am to 11pm for those affected by recent or historical sexual violence, with demand peaking during periods combining public holidays, warmer weather, and increased alcohol consumption.
Minister Paterson acknowledged the challenges of moderating online abuse, praising the efforts of the federal government and the eSafety Commissioner in holding social media companies accountable, but conceded the digital landscape remains a difficult arena. She also highlighted the support mechanisms in place for ACT Legislative Assembly members, including collaboration with ACT police and Mental Health ACT to address incidents and ensure wellbeing.
