Online abuse against women is a growing concern. The latest episode sheds light on this phenomenon. Dr Ally Louks, a University of Cambridge doctoral student of English, recently posted on X to celebrate finishing her PhD. In her post, Louks shared a photo holding her thesis, titled “Olfactory Ethics: The Politics of Smell in Modern and Contemporary Prose.” The post states she was “PhDone” after passing her oral defense without corrections.
What started as a simple celebration of completing her doctorate unexpectedly sparked outrage online. The backlash came from her thesis topic, which explores the politics of smell in literature. Thousands of people online found this subject surprisingly controversial.
Her PhD thesis includes an abstract stating, “olfactory disgust can result in a person’s rejection.” Some people online have had issues with the technical terms used in both her thesis and its abstract. Others are accusing her of being “too woke” or “too pretentious.” Some even claimed that her thesis and her achievement of a PhD are proof that “academia is dead.”
Cyberbullying and misogyny: The online attacks women face
Now, we are not going to debate the specifics of Dr. Louks’ thesis, as she has already clarified that it was meant for experts in her field. She emphasised that her work was not for the general public. She also mentioned that her ideas were presented in a way that required advanced knowledge of the subject. In other words, we are not falling into the Dunning-Kruger effect, which is precisely what many of the online critics seem to be doing.
However, one must not ignore that the harsh reactions to her post reveal the vile and misogynistic nature of online abuse against women. Many comments, mostly from men, suggested that women don’t belong in academia. One of the posts said, “You would have spent your years better by getting married and having children.” One online commenter, hiding behind a screen, wrote, “The witch hunts cannot happen soon enough.“
Much of the criticism towards Dr. Louks has little to do with her research itself. When women achieve success, especially in male-dominated fields, they often face this kind of online bullying. The focus shifts from their ideas and accomplishments to their personal lives or appearances. Instead of supporting the intellectual value of their work, people feel the need to downplay or mock women’s achievements.
Dr Louks, however, doesn’t let the negative comments affect her personally. She said that the backlash is rooted in misogyny. It is mainly because she is a young woman who has achieved success in a field where women are often underrepresented. She saw it coming, aware that her accomplishments could provoke such reactions due to biases against women in academia.
Threats, harassment, and fear: The price women pay for speaking out
Dr. Louks also received a rape threat in her personal inbox, which she felt crossed a serious line. That was especially true since her email was not publicly available online, and the person had to go to significant lengths to find it. Death threats and rape threats are sadly common tools used in online harassment to silence women. These threats often exist simply because a woman chooses to wear something, speak out, or enjoy time with friends. It is a display of the sick mentality that views rape as a punishment for women who defy the boundaries set by a patriarchal society.
Threats and online abuse against women have become worse in the age of social media. Perpetrators hide behind screens, stay anonymous, and cyberbullying women without worrying about being caught or facing any punishment. These threats are a way of trying to force women back into the roles society expects them to play, using fear and intimidation to silence them and keep them in line.
Online abuse against women: Data that demands attention
For women journalists, it is very common to face abuse simply for posting on social media, writing articles, or voicing their thoughts. Rana Ayyub, an Indian investigative journalist, shared her experience, saying, “It started with rape threats, death threats, doxing.“
A study found that 73% of women journalists surveyed had faced online violence during their work. Among them, 25% had received threats of physical violence, and 18% had been threatened with sexual violence. Surprisingly, 20% reported being attacked offline as a result of the online harassment they had endured.
Women, girls, and gender-non-conforming individuals are more likely to face online violence. Studies around the world show that between 16% and 58% of women and girls have been targeted by violence online. This violence has serious and lasting consequences, particularly for those affected.
In the Arab States region, a 2021 UN Women study found that 60% of women internet users encountered online violence. Similarly, a European study revealed that women are 27 times more likely to experience online harassment than men. Furthermore, 92% of women reported that online violence negatively affects their well-being.
As the data shows, online violence disproportionately affects women, with devastating consequences for their mental health and sense of security.
The final thoughts on online abuse against women
The harassment Dr Louks faced is just one of many instances where misogyny and violence are used to silence women online. The online harassment of women is a painful reflection of the deep-rooted biases in society’s treatment of women who dare to succeed.
Whether it is in academia, journalism, STEM, or public life, women are disproportionately targeted by online abuse. It sends a troubling message that speaking out, achieving success, and asserting a presence in public life often come with significant personal risks. Women like Dr. Louks should be celebrated for their intellectual contributions, not attacked for daring to be visible and successful. Only then can we create a safer, more inclusive environment for women.
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Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are based on the writer’s insights, supported by data and resources available both online and offline, as applicable. Changeincontent.com is committed to promoting inclusivity across all forms of content, which we define broadly to include media, policies, law, and history—encompassing all elements that influence the lives of women and gender-queer individuals. Our goal is to promote understanding and advocate for comprehensive inclusivity.
