Mother reveals torment of public office
ABIRMINGHAM city councillor has revealed how a torrent of online abuse left her so ill she collapsed, forcing her daughter to call an ambulance.
Nicky Brennan spoke of the abuse she has suffered at the hand of trolls in a special council debate to mark 100 years of women gaining the vote. The Labour councillor said the culture of politics had to change to encourage more women to take public office.
She said: “It seems to be a regular feature of being in public life for women... I have been threatened with rape and violence, called stupid, called all sorts of swearwords.
“I’ve had hardcore pornography sent to me, usually when I’ve been talking about domestic violence, or rape, or sexual assault.”