Sexualised, violent threats: female Victorian MPs fear for their safety as they fight more than just next month’s election
Victorian MP Georgie Purcell reports receiving violent and sexualized threats following her public support for a colleague who was allegedly attacked. The incident highlights the growing safety concerns and hostility faced by female politicians in Australia.
Why it matters
It underscores the increasing risks of gender-based harassment in politics, which may deter women from seeking public office.
Victorian upper house MP Georgie Purcell (pictured), whose region partly overlaps with Haines’s federal electorate, was told by a constituent: ‘You should be scared.’ Victorian upper house MP Georgie Purcell (pictured), whose region partly overlaps with Haines’s federal electorate, was told by a constituent: ‘You should be scared.’ Victoria state election 2026 Analysis Sexualised, violent threats: female Victorian MPs fear for their safety as they fight more than just next month’s election Benita Kolovos Hostility from constituents is not new for the state’s politicians, including its premiers. But the alleged attack on Helen Haines has sent a chill down the collective spine
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On Monday night, Georgie Purcell shared a statement on social media in support of Helen Haines , who earlier that day had been allegedly attacked by a constituent in her regional Victorian electorate.
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