A new report by the eSafety Commissioner has revealed a troubling increase in online hate targeting Australians from diverse backgrounds, with people with disability among the most affected.
The report, Fighting the Tide: Encounters with Online Hate Among Targeted Groups, found that 24 per cent of adults with disability, and/or adults identifying as Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, sexually diverse, or linguistically diverse have personally experienced online abuse, while 41 per cent have witnessed it. This reflects a broader trend, with online hate incidents rising from 14 per cent in 2019 to 18 per cent in 2022 across the Australian population.
eSafety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant condemned the surge in online abuse, stressing that no one should suffer harassment because of their identity. She urged those affected to block perpetrators, report incidents, and seek support.
“No Australian living in our community today should have to endure hateful abuse because of who they are,” she said.
The study found that social media platforms are the most common sites of online hate, with most abuse coming from strangers. Despite the serious harm caused, fewer than half of victims take action against perpetrators.
The Commissioner is calling on tech companies to enforce their policies more rigorously, improve reporting tools, and enhance transparency in tackling online hate.
For support or to report harmful content, visit eSafety’s website or contact your support worker.
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