Intimidation of female politicians is putting off some from standing for elections, MPs hear
The level of abuse and intimidation of women politicians in Northern Ireland is leading some to have doubts about running in elections, MPs have been told.
Cahir Hughes, head of Electoral Commission in Northern Ireland, said that female politicians in the region had suffered "horrific abuse" including incidents of stalking and being targeted by pornographic deepfake videos.
The Northern Ireland Affairs Committee was hearing evidence from officials at the Electoral Commission and the Electoral Office as part of its investigation into how elections are conducted in the region.
Responding to a question about abuse and intimidation of politicians and candidates in Northern Ireland, Mr Hughes said: "Since 2022 female candidates and elected representatives have reported horrific abuse, misogynistic, sexist, violent (abuse).
"We have been working very closely with the PSNI to challenge that over the last number of years. It links in with the PSNI's strategy of tackling violence against women and girls.
"Changes that have happened in recent elections, the PSNI will now give each candidate a single point of contact so that when they are out campaigning they know there is a police officer they can contact.
"The PSNI are much more active now in terms of providing briefings for candidates and elected members in terms of stepping up their own security."
Mr Hughes said the Northern Ireland Assembly has now offered funding for MLAs so they can install security features at their personal address or office.
He added: "I do think we need a cultural change within our society. We have got a younger generation coming through that think that this is acceptable and a normal part of politics.
"The threat in Northern Ireland and I suppose the UK, particularly when we speak to female candidates, is that people are going to stop putting themselves forward.”
Recently, SDLP MLA Cara Hunter spoke out about how she feared a deepfake video would ruin her political career as she urged action to clamp down on online abuse.
Ms Hunter was targeted in April 2022 when a fake video was created to look as if she was taking part in pornographic activity with a man and shared online.
Alliance Party MP Sorcha Eastwood told the House of Commons this month of an experience leading a school visit to Parliament Buildings at Stormont when she was approached by a member of the public who said they wanted to rape her.
Mr Hughes said he encouraged politicians to report all incidents of abuse or intimidation to police.
He added: "We have heard from candidates and elected representatives who have been stalked because the imprint on their election material, some candidates would use their home address or an office address and they will have people standing at the edge of the driveway or outside their office.
"We know of female candidates who have been made intentionally to feel uncomfortable when they are out canvassing, be that hurling verbal abuse or just stalking and following."