Researchers: Female politicians are more often subjected to personal attacks

Every fourth politician has been subjected to threats, violence or harassment during the election year, Brå's new survey on politicians' security shows, which has been done for five years. Now the survey has been able to compare two election years, 2014 and 2018.

- This is the first time that we can see that the increase will unfortunately be greater during the election year, says Sandra Håkansson.

The consequences of the threats are that the political debate is disturbed, says Håkansson.

- It affects what you choose to talk about. You do not raise all the questions but ask yourself "can I cope and cope with my family".

Brå's investigation has also, for the first time, asked a question about whether you have been subjected to sexual threats, which is twice as many women as men have been exposed to.

In his research, Håkansson and his research colleagues interviewed both female and male elected representatives. The results show that there is a gender difference in the nature of the threats, as international research has also shown.

- Attacks on appearance, sexual threats and intimidation are more common against women. When it comes to men, the threats are more tied to political views, says Sandra Håkansson.

Why it looks so difficult to answer, but an important part of the explanation is that there are negative attitudes towards women in politics, according to Håkansson.

According to Brå's survey, a large proportion of threats occur in social media.

- More women than men are exposed on social media, says Sandra Håkansson.

Here, those working with the security of politicians need a greater awareness. There are tendencies that physical safety is prioritized more than psychological safety, Håkansson says.

- Harassment affects politicians and needs to be taken seriously.