Man arrested after horrific threats to Yumi Stynes in sex education book furore

The author and podcaster who is behind a sex education book that has caused an uproar this week has released screenshots of the vile death threats.

Police have arrested and charged a man who allegedly threatened Yumi Stynes, the author behind a controversial sex education book, who claims she has copped a raft of threats and abuse online.

On Friday, Eli Engwicht,23, was arrested and charged with one count of use carriage service to menace/harass/offend, The Australian reports.

In a statement, a spokesman for NSW Police said that Mr Engwicht was taken from Balmain Police Station to Newtown Police Station, where he was charged.

“Officers from Leichhardt Police Area Command commenced an investigation over alleged online threats to a 48-year-old woman,” the spokesman said.

Ms Stynes co-authored the book ‘Welcome to Sex’.

Ms Stynes stands by a sex education book for children.

“Following inquiries, a 23-year-old man was arrested at Balmain Police Station.

“He was then taken to Newtown Police Station, where he was charged with one count of use carriage service to menace/harass/offend.”

Precise details of Mr Engwicht’s alleged conduct are not yet known.

It comes as Ms Stynes posted a barrage of sexist, violent and racist abuse directed at her on her Instagram.

Mature themes in the book have sparked calls for it to be removed from shelves. Picture: Instagram/Primod

Yumi Stynes has called out men sending her death threats over her new book. Picture: Instagram

Ms Stynes, who co-authored the book aimed at children, Welcome to Sex: Your No-silly-questions Guide to Sexuality, Pleasure and Figuring it Out, has been at the centre of an intense media storm over the book.

The “graphic” sex book written for children as young as eight has received criticism after it attracted nationwide attention this week for its discussion of mature themes.

The book, on sale for $16, contains detailed explanations behind sexual activities, including oral sex, fingering, anal sex, scissoring, hand jobs, porn, sexuality and gender identity.

The online abuse from numerous male accounts included telling Ms Stynes to “f*** off back to your own country. you dirty Covid making bi***”, “Your going to hell, I will pray that you don’t burn that fast” and “You should be thrown in jail you f***ing pedo c***”.

One of the messages compared the author to a “stray dog” saying, “do you know what happens to stray dogs? They get put down. Your days are numbered you c***.”

Ms Stynes said she chose to release the messages not because she needed “support” but because she wanted to expose the “impunity with which men think that they can attack women”.

“It’s a concern of mine and it will continue to be an ongoing concern, and the best way these abusers can be called to account is by shining a light on them.”

She said she stood by the book, which was “rigorously checked and resourced and researched”.

“To write the book we literally assembled a team of professors, doctors, researchers, sex educators, people who are experts in abuse prevention and body safety education. All we wanted was the best for young readers.”

Yumi Stynes has called out men sending her death threats over her new book. Picture: Instagram

Earlier this week, a Big W spokesman told news.com.au it would stop selling the book in physical stores after “multiple incidents of abuse” aimed at staff but would continue to sell it online.

A spokesman defended the retailer’s decision to stock the product, disputing claims the book was inappropriate for children.

“Big W has a wide range of books and products that represent a diverse Australian community,” the spokesman said.

“Welcome to Sex is an educational, age-appropriate and inclusive book featuring content from adolescent health experts that matches the development and early experiences of teens aged 12-15.

“It is shelved in parenting in our books section so parents can make their own decisions on what is appropriate for their family.”