Committees

Online abuse and the experience of disabled people examined

6 February 2018

The Petitions Committee hears from Katie Price, who started a petition that received over 220,000 signatures.

Evidence session

This oral evidence session is part of the Committee's investigation into online abuse.

In this meeting on international Safer Internet Day and the anniversary of the 1918 Representation of the People Act, when some women were given the vote for the first time, the Committee will hear from Katie Price as well as from disabilities charities.

A transcript will be made available following the session.

Witnesses

Tuesday 6 February, Wilson Room, Portcullis House

At 2:30pm

  • Katie and Amy Price

At 3pm

  • Anne Novis MBE, disability campaigner, Inclusion London
  • Andie Gbedemah, Public Affairs Officer, Dimensions
  • Amy Clarke, Digital Assistant, Mencap
  • Rob Holland, Parliamentary Manager, Mencap

Scope of the investigation

In particular, the Committee will question:

  • What's the impact of online abuse, especially on people with disabilities?
  • Who's responsible for protecting people from online abuse? Are technology companies doing enough?
  • How well does the current law protect disabled people from online abuse? Does the law need to be changed?  
  • How should we define online abuse? Where's the line between legitimate freedom of expression, behaviour that is against the terms and conditions of social media sites, and abuse that should be against the law?
  • What support is there for victims of online abuse?

Further information

Image: iStockphoto