‘Downright disgusting: The comments I face daily’

Enough is enough. Irrespective of gender, race, sexuality or nationality, nobody should be subjected to the disgusting trolling I and my peers receive on a daily basis, writes AFLW star Sabrina Frederick.

‘Go play a women’s sport if you can’t handle the attention.’

‘You wanted equal rights sweetheart don’t cry when it’s too even.’

‘Sorry girls, men do it better.’

These are just some of the belittling, misogynist and downright disgusting social media comments that sportswomen face daily.

And as a female footy player, migrant, and woman of colour in a same sex relationship, I have copped quite a bit of nasty abuse online — and nothing in the snippets above are out of the ordinary.

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According to new research released by Plan International, 23 per cent of all negative comments towards sportswomen were sexist in nature, while 20 per cent demeaned women’s athletic abilities and skills. I’d love to say that I was surprised by those findings, but unfortunately, online abuse directed at female athletes has become par for the course.

Richmond AFLW player Sabrina Frederick has copped horrible abuse since her career first began. Picture: David Crosling

I was just 19 years old when I was first drafted to the Brisbane Lions for the inaugural AFLW season.

Fresh faced, optimistic and with a new-found platform, I was excited that someone who looks like me could share positive messages on social media with other aspiring young female players.

I was excited that young girls from all cultural backgrounds would continue to see themselves reflected in the AFL dream and I felt and continue to feel, incredibly privileged to be doing my bit.

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For the most part, I enjoy engaging with my fans on social media — sharing the highs and lows of my life and career, and inspiring others to follow their dreams.

What I wasn’t prepared for was the disgusting underbelly of the social media world — the one where keyboard warriors who don’t know you, choose to post the most horrifically vile stuff without fear of consequence, and often with the comfort of anonymity.

Sabrina Frederick was just 19 when she first began playing in the AFLW professionally. Picture: AAP Image/Josh Woning

In the beginning, I would monitor each post and read every single negative comment about me. I would spend hours scrolling and then contemplating on whether or not I should respond.

When a troll would come to my account and comment that women were ‘useless athletes’ on one of my images, or that we were ‘too fat and slow’, or that we should ‘get back in the kitchen’ — it hurt. All I ever tried to be was the best version of myself. To be ripped to shreds by complete strangers certainly felt disempowering.

Although the internet has permitted online trolls to multiply hateful, sexist and uninformed information, it can also be a powerful tool for good.

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After Tayla Harris copped a barrage of sexualised and misogynist abuse on a photo of her doing her job, she also received an overwhelming amount of support from fans, teammates and the broader online community. Not only did Tayla’s image go viral, it has become a symbol of change. It is bigger than Tayla and bigger than the sport itself.

Carlton AFLW player Tayla Harris copped a barrage of abuse after a powerful image of her performing on-field was shared to social media. Picture: Michael Willson/AFL

While the moment is still fresh, together we need to channel our outrage and work to address what is driving these negative attitudes and behaviours.

What we know from the research is that all women can be the target of abuse and it is not always confined to the internet. Regardless of where it happens, these disrespectful attitudes and behaviours don’t occur in a vacuum.

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They’re perpetuated by a culture that allows gender inequality and harmful gender stereotypes to continue, which means we all play a role in cutting it off at the source.

As an ambassador for national youth campaign, The Line, I want to encourage young people to be true to themselves and not be deterred from chasing their dreams.

Yes, there is still a long way to go but it’s definitely something to keep striving for.

Sabrina Fredrick plays for Richmond in the AFLW and is an ambassador for The Line.

Originally published as ‘Downright disgusting: The comments I face daily’