Members of parliament currently face a growing wave of harassment and threats from the public, notes a report from the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU). The report, titled When the Public Turns Hostile, draws on a broad survey of five hundred nineteen global MPs.
Researchers focused on diverse political contexts in Argentina, Benin, Italy, Malaysia, and the Netherlands to reflect regional trends. Consequently, the findings suggest that political violence is becoming a common experience for those serving in democratic institutions.
The Digital Frontline of Political Abuse
Overall, seventy-one percent of all respondents reported experiencing violence from the public through either online or offline channels. The research indicates that hostility is heavily concentrated online, with up to seventy-seven percent of MPs reporting digital abuse.
Furthermore, the most common forms of intimidation include insults, degrading language, and the spread of false information. Most respondents believe the situation is deteriorating rapidly as social media amplifies public anger toward elected officials. In Argentina and the Netherlands, eight out of ten MPs reported an increase in violence over five years.
Disproportionate Impacts on Women and Minorities
The study highlights that women MPs are significantly more affected by public hostility than their male colleagues. Seventy-six percent of women reported exposure to violence, compared to sixty-eight percent of men across the case studies.
Moreover, women are disproportionately targeted by gendered and sexualized forms of violence, particularly within various online social platforms. Additionally, MPs from minority or disadvantaged groups, including LGBTQIA+ communities and people with disabilities, face even greater digital exposure. These groups often deal with more frequent and aggressive forms of harassment while performing their official legislative duties.
Triggers and Sources of Public Hostility
Online violence is frequently triggered by elections, high-profile legislative debates, or polarizing cultural and political issues. The IPU report attributes this surge to rising political polarization and economic pressures that fuel widespread public frustration. Additionally, a declining trust in public institutions has created an environment where individuals feel emboldened to attack parliamentarians.
Around nine out of ten MPs identified anonymous users as the primary perpetrators of violence in digital spaces. These individuals, rather than organized groups, drive the majority of harassment aimed at silencing elected democratic representatives.
A Growing Threat to Global Democracy
The IPU warns that the intimidation of MPs has serious and long-lasting consequences for the health of democracy. Many parliamentarians report self-censorship or avoiding public appearances to protect themselves and their family members from potential harm. Consequently, some elected officials choose to quit politics or decline to run for future elections due to hostility.
Over time, this trend could corrode democratic representation and discourage diverse voices from participating in the political process. The report calls on parliamentary leadership to set clear boundaries for acceptable public discourse to protect dissenting voices.
Q&A: Understanding the Hostility Facing MPs
Q: What percentage of MPs have experienced violence from the public?
A: According to the IPU, seventy-one percent of MPs globally have experienced some form of violence from the public.
Q: Are women more likely to be targeted by political harassment?
Yes, seventy-six percent of women MPs reported exposure to violence, which is higher than the sixty-eight percent for men.
Q: What is the main driver of the increase in public hostility?
The report identifies political polarization, social media amplification, and declining trust in public institutions as the primary drivers.
FAQ
Where was the data for this report collected?
The IPU surveyed 519 MPs globally and conducted specific case studies in Argentina, Benin, Italy, Malaysia, and the Netherlands.
What are the most common forms of intimidation?
MPs most frequently report insults, degrading language, threats, and the deliberate spread of false or misleading information.
Who is responsible for the majority of online abuse?
Anonymous individuals, rather than organized groups, are identified as the perpetrators by roughly 90% of MPs in several countries.
How does this violence impact the democratic process?
It leads to self-censorship among MPs and may discourage women and minorities from seeking office, thereby weakening democratic institutions.
What triggers spikes in online violence against MPs?
Elections and high-profile legislative debates over polarizing issues are the most common triggers for increased online harassment and abuse.