Footballer Maddison Studdon (pictured) has been charged with abusing her former partner with allegations including calling the woman repeatedly, stalking her and making a throat-slitting gesture.
The victim told police she was terrified Studdon would kill her.
Studdon was charged this week with stalking/intimidating and using a carriage service to menace or harass.
Media outlets across the country are running the story – as they should.
However, many outlets have comments on and are not monitoring them. So social media users are having a field day.
There’s rampant misogyny and homophobia, with much of the degradation focused on the woman who suffered the abuse.
It’s hard for LGBTQI+ people to tell police about abuse – often the fear of a homophobic response is enough to silence them.
Now, when the media get hold of the information, victims face a deeply homophobic reaction from people online.
The commentary around Studdon’s behaviour and the victim’s experience will hinder any hope other queer people have of getting a safe outcome should they talk about abuse.
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