.

i cant even describe how upset the alex kister situation makes me. not because i had an attachment to the thing he made, not in the slightest, but its because it is a direct parallel to what i went through like a year ago. down to the manipulation disguised as playful banter so you cant pick up that hes coaxing someone into something at first glance and everything. it was all just so deeply real to me and it hurt to read. seriously. its completely fucking terrifying to see this shit happen over and over and over again with no end in sight, for kids to look up to creatives in a field they admire only to be completely churned out and crushed by those creatives as nothing but perverse objects they can manipulate. if youre a fan of what kister makes and youre upset that you cant like his stuff anymore, you are the lucky one in the scenario. i mean this sincerely when i say you have lost nothing. this dude had unimaginable amounts of power and pressure over the hopeful young kids he manipulated. his victims are getting death threats for speaking out about this shit because of how big his platform is. the children he manipulated? that he abused and took advantage of? they are the ones who are risking losing everything by speaking out about this. the first priority shouldnt be mourning the fact that "my favorite analog horror series is tainted forever now :(" it should be supporting the victims of this. always. and if you dont believe them just because your favorite little analog horror boy makes suuuch good content and could never do such a thing? from the bottom of my heart, as someone whos gone through the same ordeal and all the consequences that come with speaking out about it, fuck you.

im not gonna say that much about this. i didnt think i'd say anything about it at all. but im too angry, and too fucking sad. i wont get too personal but this isnt gonna be like my usual posts so be warned if you follow me for more lighthearted stuff.

i also just wanna say, i talk about myself a lot in this post. *obviously*, i am not the victim here. i have never been a victim of this situation. but it's caused me grief and fury, and this is an outlet. we should be supporting shubble and all other victims. i don't really expect anyone to read this. i just needed to write it for my own sake.

the whole wilbur soot situation is devastating. when i first heard about it, like a lot of others, i immediately shut myself into denial. i have watched this man since he joined the dream smp in 2020. i was there through the entire server, through his 100 player challenges, the sbi mccs, all of it. i was a lovejoy fan from the moment one day came out - hell, i hoped to see them in concert someday. i did countless (though probably shitty) art and writing pieces inspired by his work. it wasn't that hard to tell that he isn't someone with flawless mental health by any means. but i never thought anything like this would happen.

when i accepted that he was the abuser shubble had talked about, i was upset and confused and unhappy. but i also had hope. i hoped that maybe this had served as a wake-up call, that maybe he was getting the help he needed. maybe he'd take a break, come back with a genuine response, and then make his mental health and personal morals a priority. i hoped he was better than this.

needless to say, i am furious. "disappointed" doesn't begin to scratch the surface. i'm angry. i'm insulted. i'm embarrassed to have ever looked up to him. his response was robotic, emotionless, and gave no indication of remorse or accountability. he didn't even apologize. he claimed that he had already received help. if he has, then it clearly wasn't enough. this is not a man who's ashamed and looking to better himself, this is a man who is going to keep hurting people. and that is terrifying. i genuinely can't connect this with the person i've kept up with for 4 entire years. i can't believe it. i really can't.

this response has corporate PR bullshit dripping right off of it. this so clearly did not come from wilbur soot himself. he might not have been involved at all, beyond a glance over and an okay to whatever team did the writing. and that's the most insulting part of all. he didn't even type this up with his own words. he didn't even have the balls to make his own response. and that pisses me off.

he abused someone. probably more than one. and he didn't even acknowledge her. the 4 paragraphs of nothing are addressed to the wider audience, not shelby, the person this should be about. if this is the best he can do, i'm genuinely shocked he developed such a loyal and amazing fanbase. fucking revolting.

with all that said, i'm probably going to stop listening to lovejoy. that hurts me, a lot. that's a hard choice for me to make. but there need to be repercussions. and this is what i hope: i genuinely, from the bottom of my heart, hope he gets help. i hope he wakes up and realizes he isn't ok, and takes genuinely strives to better himself. i hope he grows and improves and becomes better for the people around him. and i hope he leaves social media permanently. that hurts me to say, but i don't think i could ever really trust him after this, and i don't think it would make his situation any better. i hope he leaves, and i hope he makes a better life for himself. it's an optimistic hope, considering how much evidence is pointing to his unwillingness to change. but i won't let go of it.

that's pretty much it. i've said my piece. i'm angry. i'm sad. i wish this was all a dream and no one ever got hurt. but shelby did get hurt, and others almost certainly did too, and no nice fancy corporate words will change that. good-bye, wilbur soot. the memories were good. i won't let you taint them. but there's no going back from this, at least on the internet. i hope you make a better life, and i hope you do it far away from anyone you have hurt or could hurt.

what a waste.

Submissive Autonomy

The person who abused me as a child and led to my PTSD is a family member. Thankfully they don’t live in my area and only come to my area once every several years at most. If they attend birthday parties or other social events while they are visiting, I have just not attended those events. 

Recently they came up for a graduation. The person graduating is a close genetic relative of theirs, but has had very little emotional relationship with them. I’ve been close with the graduate their whole life. 

I feel really strongly that the “just keep the peace” mentality that encourages victims to be cordial with abusers in social settings for the social comfort of everyone involved - is harmful. I think it’s harmful for the victim, can be harmful for other family members who see this person treated “normally” despite being an abuser, and I think it can empower the abuser. 

I also feel strongly that when I love someone, I should show up for the big events in their life, graduation included. 

So, I was conflicted about what to do, at first. Not going to graduation felt wrong, like I wouldn’t be showing up for this kid I love and who deserves my support. Going and acting relatively normal as far as sitting with my whole family felt wrong, because it would seem like disrespecting myself, and just behaving in a way that I don’t believe in. 

Going but sitting away from my whole family just to avoid the bad guy seemed weird and dramatic. I would normally never attend and event like this and not sit with my other family members. 

I asked CD what he thought I should do, sharing the pros and cons of all 3 options that I saw. 

He said he thought I should skip graduation, as we could go to the open house anyway, and we knew the abusive guy wasn’t going to be at the open house. 

He said his second place suggestion would be to go, but to sit away from family, and to show up at the last minute and leave early to avoid seeing the person.

I basically repeated all of my worries about all three options, still feeling very conflicted. He said he understood my hesitations with each, and that it was totally up to me, and he’d be with me regardless of which option I went for. 

I wrestled with my options for another day or two, but ultimately we went but stayed away from family, arrived at the last second and left early to avoid seeing family. 

I explained to CD at one point that I felt a little bad not going with his first suggestion, but that I knew I’d feel bad not going. I had to try to find a way to reconcile my different values and priorities and going but avoiding the family seemed like the best way to do both. 

It’s not that it’s unusual for me to make decisions for myself, or anything. But it is a bit rare for me to not take CD’s advice. I knew his first choice was based on wanting to protect me as much as possible - which I love and appreciate. Not going with his first suggestion wasn’t a rejection of his leadership or dominance, though. A least, I don’t see it that way. As I see it, there are some areas in life where submissives have to maintain autonomy for their own wellbeing. 

I love that CD and I have similar values and priorities. We’re two different people though, and in the rare cases where we feel a little different about something that is deeply meaningful to me...sometimes I have to maintain autonomy. While phrases like “Daddy is always right” and “I’ll do anything he says” and “He has total control” may sound hot...I don’t believe in them. I hand over power to CD in a lot of areas, we live 24/7 D/s, but there are some decisions I need to make myself. 

I think I used to follow your old blog, and I have some good faith questions: 1. What made you become more incluse IRT to LGBT discourse? 2. Do you consider "bi/mspec dyke" to be separate from "bi/mspec lesbian"? (I personally do think bi women can use butch/femme or reclaim dyke but consider these different and the latter concept is harmful) 3. Why are you against trans-friend radfems/gender criticals? (not radfem, I'm critical of them) 4. Do you consider Febfem problematic by proxy?

you mean p-c? yeah. fun fact: i actually plan to move again once i turn 18 in a few months.

anyways this post took me a while to write lmao, i wanted to make sure i got everything down perfectly, both so that it helps you and so that i can refer back to it in the future.

1. this post should answer your first question, though i think i forgot to include that the bi community has always been tied in solidarity with other queer communities that are often excluded (such as ace/aro + trans), and biphobia more often than not parallels harmful rhetoric to other ‘xphobias’ that lie outside of the LG(B). if exclusionists successfully eliminate the TQIA+, then no matter what they tell you or genuinely believe about themselves, they’re not gonna stop there. bisexuals are inevitably next, whether it’s right at the front of the line or somewhere down along it.

2. that same post mentions and explains why i don’t actively have anything against ‘mspec’/bi lesbians. i consider it a separate identity from ‘bi dyke’ because that’s how labels work, every label is a little different from another and definitions + experiences simply vary from person to person. however, functionally, no i don’t consider them any different. people can be and are bi lesbians for the exact same reason(s) that they can be and are bi dykes, and you can’t easily argue for or against one without inherently doing the same for the other. if you’re really, genuinely interested in my thoughts on this since you’re asking in good faith, i would personally recommend this post + this tag, which both explain how being an ‘mspec’ lesbian actually works. it’s also important to remember that ‘lesbian’ used to mean all wlw/nblw/sapphics and belonged to us too before it didn’t, which we didn’t actually have any say in. if you agree that the separatism movement was harmful to bisexual women, and that bisexual women also have the right to claim butch and femme for ourselves due to them having been our terms while we were considered lesbians, then everything falls apart and becomes inconsistent when you don’t agree with bi women also being lesbians if they so choose to be. it’s that simple, honestly.

3. because radfems and gender-criticals don’t support trans(-identified) people back. all trans people, be them transfem, transmasc, transneu, or anything else along the spectrum, are victims of this type of activism and always have been. i think it’s okay and acceptable to have basic views that align with women’s liberation and combatting worldwide misogynistic oppression without aligning with radfems directly, since they have an inherent connotation as their own separate group of activists that harm others just by being associated with the idea. whether or not you believe in trans rights and, by extension, whether or not you put a disclaimer that you believe in trans rights, you’re still signing up to hurt trans people by proclaiming yourself a radfem. that’s part of the contract, especially since many of them have recently admitted on twitter that the most important priority of feminism is taking down “gender ideology”, rather than most common feminist factors that address fighting in favor of women across the world. to be quite honest, i don’t have the means to strongly expand on exactly how trans activism is incompatible with radfem activism, but i’m sure blogs such as @genderkoolaid​ could hit the nail on the head with it for you!

4. if you haven’t already guessed following the third question, realistically yes i do. theoretically i think it shouldn’t, as to me it’s a nice-looking and nice-sounding label, as well as the fact being that there’s nothing wrong with being a bisexual woman seeking to date only other women ─ that’s what i do myself, which is exactly why i coined camellian! but, again, ‘febfem’ is a label that is inherently by nature tied with radical feminism and gender criticism (and any belief system or passive alliance related to them).  the community was created by and for those people (i’m positive this is one of the very first posts regarding the term - the one in the screenshot, anyway), which makes it harmful to position yourself with. i do like the flags though, and their creativity.

i hope this helps! i’m not even sure how much i trust some random anon in my inbox (lol lmao) but all of the information i shared is stuff i’ve posted about before, so i tried to be as honest and open as possible with it.

RADFEMS + GENCRITS DO NOT INTERACT. DO NOT COMMENT, DO NOT REBLOG, I WILL BLOCK AND NOT RESPOND. THIS IS A BOUNDARY THAT I EXPECT YOU TO BE ABLE TO RESPECT. LEAVE ME ALONE AND I WILL LEAVE YOU ALONE. I AM NOT ATTACKING YOU SO THERE’S NO NEED TO ENGAGE. JUST BLOCK ME FIRST AND MOVE ON. THANKS.

i don’t want to see lots of red-highlighted tumblr blogs in my mentions and i don’t have the energy to argue, so just fuck off for the love of god!

A damning official examination into how police forces tackle rape has exposed persistent failings in the criminal justice system, including a failure to track repeat suspects, “explicit victim-blaming” and botched investigations.

The long-awaited independent report into the first year of Operation Soteria Bluestone – launched by the government after a catastrophic fall in rape prosecutions – also paints a picture of a over-worked, traumatised and inexperienced police workforce in England and Wales, which is struggling to cope with an increase in rape reports after years of austerity.

The report – whose findings have been accepted by the Home Office – analyses 80,000 rape reports across five forces, includes deep dives into police data and reveals detailed discussions with officers. It is one of the first times academics have been given access to such a range of police records and have worked with select forces to understand how investigations proceed.

It comes as the Ministry of Justice said the most recent data showed “significant improvements” 18 months after the government’s Rape Review into the rape prosecution crisis. The MoJ said police referrals to the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) were up 95%, cases charged up by two-thirds and the number of cases reaching the court up 91% compared to the quarterly averages of 2019. In 2019 there were 2,102 prosecutions – the lowest level on record.

But the 191-page report, which contains anonymised evidence from police officers, will make for uncomfortable reading for police leaders and government ministers.

The report said officers lacked specialist understanding and while some didn’t rely on inaccurate perceptions of victim credibility “the overwhelming direction of travel [was] still reliant on inaccurate understandings of victims and offenders”.

It stated: “At worst, officers demonstrated explicit victim blaming and lack of belief in the victim, which impacted on the subsequent investigation. For example, victim credibility was often focused on and used to either close or not investigate cases within some forces.”

Academics also found serving officers who “don’t think that [sexual offences] should be a priority for policing”.

“Some stated that they believed that most reports of rape are just examples of ‘regretful sex’, or that if victims presented additional issues, such as mental health problems or alcohol/substance misuse, then this was the victim’s problem and the legal system was not obligated to safeguard them,” states the report.

The report angered women’s groups with Andrea Simon, director of the End Violence Against Women coalition saying it exposed “the underbelly of policing and the extent to which the police are failing women and girls”. Jayne Butler, CEO of Rape Crisis England and Wales, said it revealed “the most basic failings”.

The report also found that checks to see if suspects had already been reported were not always carried out, despite the fact that researchers found that across all five forces more than half of named suspects had criminal histories for a range of offences and one in four had a history of sexual offending.

The report stresses that officers are struggling to cope with workload and emotional trauma and needed support. A bespoke survey found burnout to be higher than among NHS staff during the first year of the Covid-19 pandemic.

None of the forces had the necessary “data systems, analysts or analytic capability”, and several found vacancies for specialist sexual offences units hard to fill, said the report. One officer who previously worked in CID said he used to consider sexual offence cases “‘pink and fluffy’ cases as they were victim focused, and that he avoided them in favour of burglary and robbery”.

The disbandment of specialist units during austerity had led to a “de-professionalisation of the rape and other sexual offences investigator role” and a lack of learning and development “undermines the ability of any force to upskill officers”.

Inexperience was common in the five examined forces. One officer said: “I think my shift alone consists of about 80% of people with less than two years’ service. And when a sexual offence job comes in, there’s almost like this panic of like ‘Oh my God, what do I do’.”

The report also provides rarely seen in-depth data on the tens of thousands of cases it examined. It found that around one-third of police recorded rapes examined were also related to domestic abuse, rape charge rates varied by local policing areas within the pilot forces, and charge rates were lower for cases involving partners and former partners.

Joint academic lead Prof Betsy Stanko said the report made for “hard reading”, but said it had taken bravery by the forces involved. “I have been amazed at the bravery and honesty of many officers who are determined to change this area of work,” she said.

“At this point, it’s not getting worse, it’s getting better. The conversation that we sparked has made people think about what they’re doing and how they could improve.”

Home secretary Suella Braverman said the report showed “there are big obstacles to overcome” but said that there were early signs of improvement, adding: “I’m determined to build on these to deliver a sustainable shift in the way rape is investigated.”

Justice secretary Dominic Raab said the government had launched a 24/7 rape and sexual abuse helpline, allowed victims to pre-record evidence and introduced a new approach to police investigations “that focuses on the behaviour of the suspect rather than the victim”.

Reacting to the report Labour’s shadow justice secretary Steve Reed said that after 12 years under the Conservatives women “did not feel safe” and “sexual violence and rape has effectively been decriminalised”.

Chief constable Sarah Crew, National Police Chiefs’ Council lead for adult sexual offences, said her force of Avon and Somerset, which first introduced the pilot and implemented changes based on the academics’ findings, had increased its adult rape charge rate from 3% to over 10%.

“Uncovering deep rooted and systemic issues within policing is the first big milestone in achieving the transformational change required to improve the policing response to rape,” she said. “Everyone in policing recognises that we must do better and this programme has been met with a genuine willingness and openness to change.”

By: Theo Merz

Published: Feb 26, 2015

“Some victims of domestic abuse are not identified as regularly,” reads a line several pages into a new report from a UK domestic violence charity. “Particular groups of victims may be less visible to services or be given less priority.”

Along with people from black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds, “male victims” form one of these neglected groups, according to the SafeLives study, which was published on Wednesday.

Perhaps this is unsurprising, given that the vast majority of SafeLives’ 35,000-strong database of survivors is female. When we think of domestic abuse it is generally as a women’s issue, while most high profile awareness drives, such as The White Ribbon Campaign, are aimed at reducing male violence against women.

But domestic violence against men is far from a niche concern. The most recent Crime Survey for England and Wales estimated that around 800,000 men – five per cent of the male population – had experienced domestic abuse in 2011-12, compared to 1.2 million women – or seven per cent of the female population. Since about 2005, around 40 per cent of domestic violence victims have been male.

And when these victims are not identified in time, the results can be disastrous. In this week’s SafeLives report, titled Getting It Right First Time, the charity claims: “The impact of domestic abuse on the victim and on children – even once they have achieved safety – is severe and long-lasting.”

'I didn't think of it as domestic violence'

Simon* is one man who understands the consequences of abuse better than most. For most of his 17-year marriage, this 47-year-old was subjected to domestic abuse from his wife, from having hot drinks poured over him to dinner plates smashed over his head.

While his wife was never physically violent towards their three children, she would often attack him in front of them.

“I didn’t think of it as domestic violence and I think that’s often true for male victims,” he says now. “You put it down to mood swings. There was also the pressure of thinking that if I walked away, I might get a raw deal when it came to custody of the children.

“One day, though, my youngest child replicated her behaviour. They came into the kitchen and smashed a plate over my head – I got really angry, shouted and I remember them looking so shocked. They didn’t realise it was wrong because this is what they had seen their parents doing. I wondered whether I was really protecting any of them.”

He reached breaking point one night after his wife threw him out of the house – something she had done several times before. Simon, who was then working for the church and had never talked to anyone about the abuse he had suffered, went to speak with a superior in the church hierarchy.

“They said, go back to your wife and nobody will be any the wiser, but I knew I could never do that.”

Since leaving the marriage, Simon has become involved with charities like the Mankind Initiative, which provides support for male survivors of domestic abuse.

“It’s a long battle to change people’s perception,” he says. “People are used to the idea of domestic violence being something men do to women, but when it happens the other way round, they can’t get their heads round it.

“Going for the authorities was never an option for me. I thought, who would believe me – a big, strapping bloke? I can look after myself in that sense.

“But as a boy, growing up, I was always told that boys don’t hit girls. That was the most important thing. It didn’t matter how I was provoked, I would just never do that. So I would let her anger burn out rather than ever retaliate.”

He says that men in similar situations should remember they are not alone and – if they feel unable to talk to anyone about the abuse – keep a journal and read it back, so they can get a more objective view of what is happening to them.

“Start thinking about ways out, too. You might hope that things will change but the reality is they never will.”

'Why would you, as a man, put up with that?'

Ian McNicholl, 52, is another male survivor of domestic abuse. He was subjected to a 14-month ordeal by his ex-partner which saw her pour boiling water over him, put out cigarette butts on his face and genitals and attack him with a hammer.

He still bears the physical and psychological scars from that relationship, and needed his septum replaced after his ex assaulted him with a metal bar. The police became involved after McNicholl confided in a neighbour that suicide was the only way he could see out of the relationship.

His girlfriend was found guilty of grievous bodily harm and assault, and was sentenced to seven years prison time, but is now out on licence.

“When I tell people about what happened, some of them still ask: why would you, as a man, put up with that? It’s because they don’t understand how manipulative some people’s behaviour can be – it takes all you have, until you’ve got nothing left.

“I don’t deny that more females are victims of domestic abuse, but it’s a crime that can affect anyone. The media need to give male victims more coverage and a more balanced view of what domestic abuse is.”

*name has been changed

==

Reminder: the idea that "more females are victims" is a cultural meme, not fact. Despite feminist propaganda, such as the Duluth Model, which uses feminist mythology rather than evidence to assert that only men perpetrate violence and women only act in self defence, actual statistics don't back this up at all.

Far and away the most common dynamic in intimate partner violence is bidirectional/symmetrical, while in the minority that are unidirectional or asymmetrical, the most common dynamic is actually female on male. What's termed "severe male on female" is the least common dynamic of all (~5%).

Yet, like the myth of white cops murdering scores of unarmed black men, the least common scenario is the only one anyone pays attention to, and the only one anyone is allowed to talk about.

How to help a friend experiencing domestic violence

New Post has been published on https://qnews.com.au/how-to-help-a-friend-experiencing-domestic-violence/

How to help a friend experiencing domestic violence

As our community mourns two young men taken too soon, we look at how you can help a friend you suspect is experiencing domestic and family violence.

Even raising the subject of domestic and family violence can prove challenging. Abused people often struggle with self-worth as a result of the power and control exercised by their partner. They may even blame themselves.

But while your friend may not immediately act to end their situation, your support may lead them to consider their options.

Safety is the priority

Remember, your and your friend’s safety is the priority.

Find in a safe place with plenty of time for an uninterrupted conversation.

Think about what you are going to say beforehand.

If you are not sure how to start the conversation, begin with a general concern for their welfare. But do not make any accusations concerning their partner.

Do not assume their partner is the same person in public as in private. Many abusers present a charming personality in public, so don’t disbelieve your friend because their description of their partner conflicts with your personal observations.

Listen without criticism or judgment.

Having someone to talk to can allow an abused person to gather their thoughts and perhaps fully comprehend their situation for the first time.

Let your friend know you care and ask how you can help. Avoid instructing your friend on what they should do.

Be clear that an abused person is never responsible for their abuse. There are no excuses for domestic and family violence. Also, the abused person cannot stop the abuse. Only the abuser can do that.

Tell them about organisations that can help. Encourage them to seek assistance. If they prove reluctant to do that but still indicate they do want assistance, offer to speak to an organisation yourself without divulging their identity.

Do not expect them to leave the relationship immediately. Remember, they are the victim of someone exercising power and control over them.

The right to live free from violence

Remind them that everyone has the right to live free from violence.

Explain that in a healthy relationship, both partners feel free to state their opinions and make their own decisions.

If your friend wants to access professional advice and assistance or go to a safe place, support them.

If your friend brushes off your concern?

Let them know of your concern even if they don’t want to talk.

Reassure them you remain available to talk or help when they ask.

Remember, they may take time to consider their options.

Ending any relationship is difficult. Your friend may:

have concerns because of threats from the perpetrator

believe they have nowhere to go

hope the situation will resolve itself

fear social isolation

feel ashamed of their situation

have little or no access to money

feel wary of a future without their partner.

As their friend, remind them that domestic and family violence is never okay. They have done nothing to deserve or cause it, and it is not their fault.

If you or someone you know is at risk of domestic and family violence:

Find more information about what a healthy relationship looks like at qld.gov.au/LGBTIQendDFV.

Talk to a friend or family member you can trust.

Talk to a counsellor.

Develop a safety plan to protect yourself.

More resources for domestic and family violence:

DocQ: How to talk to your GP about domestic violence.

If you’re experiencing domestic or family violence, pick up the phone.

1800RESPECT is the national domestic, family and sexual violence counselling, information and support service.

If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, chat online via their website, or text 0458 737 732.

For the latest LGBTIQA+ Sister Girl and Brother Boy news, entertainment, community stories in Australia, visit qnews.com.au. Check out our latest magazines or find us on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and YouTube.

26-year-old recruits 500 trauma therapists to assist Hamas victims.

26-year-old recruits 500 trauma therapists to assist Hamas victims. Tmicha B'cha is a volunteer trauma treatment program that provides both short-term and long-term support to hundreds of people impacted by the tragic pogrom on October 7. To help those affected by the horrific attack on October 7th, in which Hamas terrorists killed over 1,300 people (many of them unarmed civilians) and abducted over 120 more, 500 qualified therapists, clinical psychologists, and social workers with expertise in trauma have voluntarily joined the effort. To provide traumatized victims with access to therapy sessions over phone conversations, video conferences, and in-person meetings, the "Tmicha B'cha" (Hebrew for "Supporting You") project promptly matches those in need of support with a qualified therapist. Over 500 of these contacts have already been made, giving individuals still reeling from the horrific events of the catastrophic pogrom vital emotional support. The project's initial focus was on those who went to the disastrous rave, but it has subsequently broadened its scope. With the aim of ensuring that no one affected by the trauma is left without assistance, it now extends its support to anyone in need, including citizens of the South and the North, children, soldiers, and more. Additionally, the extensive roster of volunteer therapists ensures that assistance is available in a wide range of languages. Volunteer mental health professionals assist Israeli trauma victims  Sharon Assa, a senior producer at the tech company Mavens, started the project. It all began as a retaliation for the killing that occurred at a nature rave during the time of Hamas' invasion in the South. Assa was greatly upset by the news of the attack because he frequently attended similar events. "I believed my heart would burst. I literally felt like my heart couldn't take it, she said, according to the Jerusalem Post. Assa understood the critical need for psychological support for victims, their loved ones, and those who witnessed the tragic events in the aftermath. After a traumatic experience, you should speak to someone as soon as you can, she advised. "On Saturday, I started the project by looking for therapists, but I didn't want to find just any therapists because I knew that if I didn't find the right ones, I could also cause damage." She set up a WhatsApp group in only one day that included more than 500 certified trauma therapists. She took great care to make sure that these experts were qualified, with each one having a Master's in psychology and specializing in trauma therapy. Tmicha B'cha's strength is in its large team of expert therapists combined with its cutting-edge technology, despite the fact that the days following the attack have witnessed the growth of hundreds of grassroots aid operations to aid those afflicted by the tragic circumstances and the subsequent battle. They've streamlined the process so that people in need can get the best therapist quickly—often just a few minutes after completing an online form. Great outcomes have come from such streamlined access to assistance. "We assisted 100 people on the first day. We assisted 100 more folks on Sunday. 350 members of the party received our assistance after three days. Then we began to receive demands to make the program available to those who were not party members as well," Assa remarked. "Right now, our main priority is providing assistance to anyone who requests it." It is clear that the project is dedicated to offering continuing care. They do not place a cap on the number of therapy sessions because they understand that some people could need ongoing care. In order to maintain this endeavour and guarantee that their services are provided for as long as necessary, they are constantly looking into donation possibilities. "All of our therapists really want to stay with them and help them even if they need 10 or 20 sessions. Every day, we may check in with them to determine if they still need our assistance. We wouldn't abandon them without assistance, she declared. We currently communicate daily with each of them. Each therapist only sees a select few patients, so they regularly assist and communicate with them. It's comparable to having a new mother who checks in on you every day to see whether you need assistance from a professional. Assa stated that the project's administration and operation have benefited from her work at the data-tech company Mavens. She has received a lot of aid from the company to run Tmicha B'cha, including materials, financing for the campaign, and creative help to raise awareness of the project. "I must admit that Mavens offered us the chance to concentrate on serving the Israel community and take the necessary action to accomplish so. They assisted me in promoting the effort on social media, they funded the campaigns, and their creative and design team worked with me to develop the logo, our marketing, and the name and motto," the speaker stated. "I'm able to concentrate on helping others because I have this fantastic company," she said. ALSO READ: Israel At War: Attacked by Hamas Militants Read the full article

finomarkets company

In the vast world of online trading, finding a reliable platform can be a challenging task. Among the plethora of trading platforms, Finomarkets has been raising both curiosity and concerns. In this blog post, we’ll explore various aspects of Finomarkets, from login and legitimacy to complaints, address changes, and the often daunting task of recovering money from this platform. So, let’s dive in!

Finomarkets Login:

To access the Finomarkets platform, you must first navigate to their official website and log in. Make sure you’re on the correct site to avoid phishing attempts. If you encounter any login issues, check your internet connection or contact their customer support for assistance.

Is Finomarkets Legit?

The legitimacy of a trading platform is a crucial concern for potential investors. Before you start trading with Finomarkets or any other platform, research their regulatory status and customer reviews. Legitimate platforms are usually regulated by financial authorities. In the case of Finomarkets, it’s essential to conduct thorough due diligence.

Finomarkets Company and Address:

Understanding the background and location of a trading company is essential for your security. You can find information about the Finomarkets company, its address, and its regulatory status on their official website. Keep in mind that the physical address of online businesses might differ from their operational address.

Finomarkets Complaints:

Before investing, always check for customer feedback and complaints. Go through online forums, review sites, or social media to see if there are any recurring issues or negative experiences reported by other users. Keep in mind that some complaints might be isolated incidents, but patterns of issues can be a red flag.

Recover Money from Finomarkets:

If you find yourself in a situation where you need to recover your money from Finomarkets, it’s crucial to follow a systematic approach. First, try reaching out to their customer support and describe your issue. If that doesn’t work, consider involving regulatory authorities or a legal advisor.

Finomarkets.com is Now Finomarkets.ltd:

Businesses often change their domain names for various reasons, such as rebranding or optimizing their online presence. Ensure that the new domain is indeed linked to the same company. When you encounter such changes, be cautious, and verify the legitimacy of the new domain.

How to Recover Money from Finomarkets:

Recovering funds from a trading platform can be a complex process. If you believe you’ve fallen victim to a scam, contact your local regulatory authority and provide them with all relevant information. Additionally, consider consulting a legal expert who specializes in financial fraud cases to explore your legal options.

Finomarkets Email and Contact Number:

To maintain effective communication with Finomarkets, use their official email address and contact number, which should be available on their website. Verify the authenticity of this information to avoid potential scams.

In the world of online trading, the safety and security of your investments should always be your top priority. While Finomarkets may have its share of concerns, it’s essential to approach it with caution, conduct thorough research, and seek professional advice when necessary. Remember, financial decisions should be made with utmost care and diligence to protect your hard-earned money.

finomarkets company

How to Build a Strong Medical Malpractice Case in Austin: Key Steps

Introduction

Medical malpractice is a grave concern for individuals who have suffered injuries or harm due to substandard healthcare in Austin, Texas. Building a strong medical malpractice case is a complex and challenging process that requires careful planning, expert guidance, and a deep understanding of the legal system. In this article, we will explore the key steps involved in building a robust medical malpractice case in Austin.

1. Seek Immediate Medical Attention

The first and most crucial step for anyone who suspects they have been a victim of medical malpractice in Austin is to seek immediate medical attention. Your health should always be the top priority. Ensure that you receive proper care and document all medical records, treatment plans, and interactions with healthcare professionals. This documentation will serve as critical evidence in your case.

2. Consult with an Experienced Attorney

Once you have received the necessary medical care, it is essential to consult with an experienced medical malpractice attorney in Austin. Finding the right attorney is paramount, as they will guide you through the legal process and advocate for your rights. Look for attorneys with a proven track record of handling medical malpractice cases successfully.

3. Assess the Merits of Your Case

Your attorney will work closely with you to assess the merits of your medical malpractice case. They will review your medical records, consult with medical experts, and analyze the circumstances surrounding your injury or harm. To establish a strong case, you and your attorney must demonstrate the following key elements:

Duty of Care: The healthcare provider owed you a duty of care, which is the legal obligation to provide competent and appropriate medical treatment.

Breach of the Standard of Care: The healthcare provider breached the standard of care by failing to adhere to accepted medical practices or by acting negligently.

Causation: The breach of the standard of care directly caused your injury or harm. In other words, you need to prove that the provider's actions or omissions directly resulted in your condition worsening or in new injuries.

Damages: You have suffered damages as a result of the healthcare provider's negligence. These damages may include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and other losses.

4. Collect Evidence

Building a strong medical malpractice case in Austin requires collecting substantial evidence to support your claims. Your attorney will assist you in gathering the following types of evidence:

Medical records: Detailed medical records, including test results, imaging scans, surgical notes, and progress reports, are crucial for establishing the standard of care and demonstrating the provider's negligence.

Expert witnesses: Your attorney will likely consult with medical experts who can review your case and provide expert testimony regarding the healthcare provider's negligence and its impact on your health.

Witness statements: Statements from witnesses who were present during your medical treatment or observed your suffering can provide valuable insight into your case.

Photographs and visual evidence: In some cases, visual evidence, such as photographs of your injuries or the medical facility, can strengthen your case.

5. File a Lawsuit

If you and your attorney believe you have a strong medical malpractice case in Austin, you can proceed by filing a lawsuit against the responsible healthcare provider or facility. The lawsuit will detail your allegations, the harm you suffered, and the compensation you are seeking.

6. Negotiation and Settlement

In many medical malpractice cases, both parties engage in negotiation and settlement discussions before going to trial. Your attorney will represent your interests during these negotiations, striving to secure a fair and just settlement that compensates you for your losses.

7. Litigation and Trial

If a settlement cannot be reached, your case may proceed to trial. During the trial, both sides will present their arguments, evidence, and witnesses. Your attorney will vigorously advocate for your case, seeking a favorable verdict from the court.

8. Verdict and Compensation

Once the trial concludes, the court will issue a verdict. If the court finds in your favor, you may be awarded compensation for your damages, which can include medical expenses, lost wages, pain and suffering, and more.

Conclusion: Seeking Justice in Austin

Building a strong medical malpractice case in Austin is a complex and challenging process, but it is essential for those who have suffered harm due to negligence or substandard care. By following these key steps and working closely with an experienced attorney, you can seek justice and hold responsible parties accountable for their actions. Medical malpractice cases not only provide compensation for victims but also serve as a vital mechanism for improving healthcare standards and patient safety in Austin and beyond. The ultimate goal is to ensure the well-being and safety of patients while maintaining the integrity of the healthcare system in the state of Texas

The Bystander Effect: Understanding Your Role When Witnessing Sexual Harassment 

Discover the power of overcoming the bystander effect when confronted with sexual harassment. Learn how you can make a difference by taking action and supporting the victims. 

Sexual harassment is a pervasive issue that affects individuals across various settings, including workplaces, schools, public spaces, and online platforms. When witnessing such incidents, people often find themselves torn between taking action or remaining silent due to the bystander effect. In this article, we will explore the bystander effect, its implications when it comes to sexual harassment, and how you can play an active role in combating this social problem. 

I. What is the Bystander Effect? 

The bystander effect refers to the social phenomenon where individuals are less likely to intervene in an emergency or potentially harmful situation when there are other people present. The diffusion of responsibility and the assumption that someone else will intervene contribute to the bystander effect. Research has shown that the presence of others can lead to a decrease in individual responsibility and a diffusion of accountability. 

The bystander effect was first studied following the infamous murder of Kitty Genovese in 1964. Despite her cries for help, none of the numerous witnesses took immediate action or called the authorities. This case sparked interest in understanding why individuals often fail to intervene when witnessing a crime or emergency. 

II. The Bystander Effect and Sexual Harassment 

Sexual harassment thrives in environments where bystanders remain silent or fail to take appropriate action. The presence of others can lead to feelings of ambiguity, fear of embarrassment, or a belief that someone else will intervene, thus perpetuating a culture of harassment. It is crucial to understand that every bystander has the power to disrupt this cycle and create a safer environment. By breaking the silence and taking a stand against sexual harassment, bystanders can empower victims, hold perpetrators accountable, and contribute to a culture of respect and equality. 

III. Overcoming the Bystander Effect 

a) Recognize the Signs 

Educate yourself about the different forms of sexual harassment, including verbal, non-verbal, and physical behaviors. By being aware of the signs, you can identify instances of harassment more easily  

and take appropriate action. Signs may include unwanted advances, offensive comments, inappropriate touching, or any behavior that creates a hostile environment. Recognizing these signs is the first step towards overcoming the bystander effect. 

b) Trust Your Instincts 

If something feels off or inappropriate, trust your instincts. Often, our intuition alerts us to situations that require intervention. Don't dismiss your feelings or the experiences of others, as they could be indicative of sexual harassment. Trusting your instincts allows you to validate the experiences of victims and create a supportive environment for them to come forward. 

c) Assess the Situation 

Assess the environment and the potential risks involved. If it's safe to intervene directly, consider speaking up, expressing your concerns, or offering support to the victim. However, remember that personal safety should always be a priority. If the situation appears volatile or dangerous, seek help from authorities or someone in a position of authority. It is essential to prioritize your safety while still finding ways to support the victim. 

d) Empower Others 

Encourage others to overcome the bystander effect by fostering an environment where intervention is valued and encouraged. Spread awareness about the impact of bystander intervention and promote a culture of support and empathy. By empowering others to take action, you can create a ripple effect that leads to a more significant collective response against sexual harassment. 

IV. Supporting the Victims 

a) Believe and Validate 

When someone confides in you about experiencing sexual harassment, believe them and validate their feelings. Empathy and understanding go a long way in helping victims feel supported and empowered. Many victims of sexual harassment face skepticism or disbelief when they come forward, which further perpetuates the silence and inaction. By believing and validating their experiences, you can provide the necessary support they need. 

b) Offer Emotional Support 

Listening attentively and offering emotional support can make a significant difference to victims. Let them know that they are not alone and that their experiences matter. Often, victims of sexual harassment feel isolated and silenced. By being a compassionate listener and offering a safe space for them to share their emotions, you can help them heal and regain their sense of self-worth. 

c) Assist in Reporting 

Guide victims through the process of reporting the incident, whether it involves contacting human resources, school authorities, or law enforcement. Offer to accompany them if they feel more comfortable having support during this process. Reporting sexual harassment can be a daunting task as victims may fear retaliation or not know how to navigate the system. Your assistance can provide them with the guidance and courage needed to seek justice. 

V. Spreading Awareness 

Spreading awareness about the bystander effect and its connection to sexual harassment is crucial in creating a societal shift. Utilize your platform, whether it's social media, community groups, or workplace discussions, to educate others about the importance of intervention and support. Encourage open dialogue about sexual harassment and emphasize the role that each individual plays in breaking the cycle. 

The bystander effect poses a significant challenge when addressing sexual harassment, but it is not an insurmountable one. By understanding the impact of our actions, recognizing the signs of harassment, and actively supporting victims, we can break the cycle and create a culture of safety and respect. Everyone has the power to make a difference and contribute to the eradication of sexual harassment. Together, we can create a society where bystanders become upstanders, ensuring a better future for all. 

Remember, your actions matter. Take a stand against sexual harassment and be the change the world needs. 

main: @existential-dinosaur

Fact blog: @radfem-posts-i-ref

avatar: https://www.deviantart.com/anivi/art/Sanguis-481516973

header: https://www.artstation.com/artwork/black-dragon-coin

My views, in case those matter and you're too lazy to scroll:

Gender critical - gender roles are a social construct, and nobody should be obligated to follow them. Not following gender roles does not mean you need to be medicated or change in any way: it means literally nothing.

Anti self ID - you should never be able to change your sex on either your birth certificate or your driver's license, unless it was genuinely marked down incorrectly.

Anti coerced respect / coerced speech - unless your speach is a threat of violence, the state should not compel you to change it. This includes the right to misgender people, and insult people. The state is not your mommy and it's not the state's job to protect you from having your feelings hurt.

Kink critical - "do you think, when he's alone and he's fantasizing about rape, his fantasy includes the part where you say yes first?" and "kinksters and abusive men hit women for the same reason: they like hitting women."

Fully against porn, pro banning porn - when you see a video online, how do you know everyone in it: 1) consented to all actions being done, 2) consented to be filmed, 3) consented (and continue to consent) to having it posted online? How do you know they're 18+? The answer is, you don't. And it's impossible to prove. It's impossible to have an ethical commercial porn site.

Anti prostitution, pro Nordic model - consent cannot be purchased. Prostituted women are usually victims, and criminalizing them simply makes it harder for them to escape the industry. Sex buyers are privileged, and should go to jail for exploiting impoverished women.

Anti surrogacy - you should never be able to pay to use someone's organs.

Pro gay (same sex) marriage - I don't care what you want to call it, marriage is currently an institution run by the state. As long as the state provides material benefits to married people, gays should be able to obtain those benefits as well.

Against prison abolition - simply letting murderers roam the streets is a stupid fucking idea

Pro 2A / pro gun - I'd rather protect myself with a gun than have to rely on some sexist government pigs to do it for me. That's assuming they even protect me, instead of showing up two hours late and then shooting me.

Pharmaceuticals critical - critical and suspicious of any and all medication, including vaccinations. When doctors have a financial incentive to push drugs on you, they no longer have your health as their top priority. This shit also contributes to the rise of the trans movement: a lot of pharma shills are making bank off of trans people's cosmetic surgeries and life-long consumerism.

Pro animal agriculture - humans have been eating meat for millenia. Locally grown meat is actually better for the environment than vegetables that have to be shipped across the world. Leather lasts for generations and doesn't release microplastics into the environment. Plants can feel pain just like animals can, you just don't feel bad for them because they don't have faces.

Pro saturated fat, anti seed oil - the idea that saturated fat (eg animal fat) is bad for you is a scam entirely created by the AHA, who are themselves entirely funded by the industrial ag businesses creating seed oils. Seed oils release aldehydes and are extremely bad for you, and go rancid on your shelves.

Natalism neutral - I don't believe having kids is either a morally good or a morally bad act, in and of itself. If you have the finances and time to support a child, I don't think you're either "greedy" or a "bad feminist" for having a child.

Pro choice - I don't agree that consent to sex is consent to a child, or consent to a fetus to use my organs. I believe my right to choose what happens to my organs is more important than any life. This also includes the right to abort a child based on any feature, including disability or sex.

Pro Marijuana full recreational legalization - it smells like shit and smokers are super fucking annoying, but it's less dangerous than alcohol and it makes no sense to be jailing people for it.

Addiction is a disease, pro decrim of addiction - I don't think harder drugs like heroine should be sold in stores, but criminalizing drugs makes it harder for addicts to break the cycle. Addicts should be given clean areas and sterile needles, and counceling.

Pro work from home and four day work weeks - if you work an office job, it can almost certainly be done from home. Wfh has been shown to be better for people's lives. Same with four day work week. And neither have detrimental effects on productivity. Offices are an outdated concept.

Religion is not INHERENTLY evil or culty - while there do exist subsections within many religions that are harmful, religion itself is not inherently harmful. There's nothing inherently bad about holding non-falsifiable beliefs, and everyone (even atheists) hold at least one non-falsifiable belief.

Politics is the new religion - most atheists have just replaced the meaning they normally would find in religion with politics. Politics is substantially more culty than most religions at this point. People make their political label a core part of their identity, and literally excommunicate each other over it.

Islam should be eradicated - Islam is an inherently harmful religion, in every form it is practiced. Its holy book has child marriage and sex slavery. It is so rotten to its core that there is no changes that will make it acceptable, and everyone who CHOOSES to practice it is responsible for continuing to spread these harmful practices.

-- > https://wikiislam.net/wiki/Child_Marriage_in_the_Qur%27an

-- > https://wikiislam.net/wiki/Qur%27an,_Hadith_and_Scholars:Slavery

Pro hormonal birth control - pill birth control is a class one carcinogenic, and birth control in general should be treated with the same suspicion as any other pharmaceutical, but it should still be legal. The most effective way to prevent pregnancy while still engaging in PIV sex is hormonal birth control, and thus people should have access to it.

Electric cars and batteries are NOT going to save the environment - lithium (the main component of electric batteries) is EXTREMELY bad for the environment to mine, and these batteries only last five to ten years. And you can't have solar or wind energy without batteries. So solar/wind aren't better for the environment, they're just changing where the harm is happening.

Atomic power is the future - atomic power is much, much safer than people believe. Spent nuclear power rods can be disposed of safely.

Pro shooting pedophiles - the penalty for sexually abusing a minor should be death.

Pro shooting people who make porn of content aimed at children - see bronies.

Pro shooting people who make or consume porn of children, whether real or animated - your lolis still make you a fucking pedophile.

There's no such thing as a secular version of any religion - this is more personal because I am extremely Buddhist, and seeing all the white western "secular Buddhists" annoys me. If you take the non-falsifiable, spiritual, beliefs out of a religion, it is no longer that religion. If you remove the concept of rebirth from Buddhism, you are no longer a Buddhist.

Coporations benefit from your misery, and are incentivized to keep you hungry - this ties into "consoomerism", but essentially coporations want to keep you hungry so you keep buying useless shit from them, hoping it will make you happy.

Money can't buy happiness, only security - also related to the above point. Money absolutely can buy security, and security will remove a lot of stress from your life. But once you are secure (in food, in housing, medically) money will no longer make you any happier.

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Against state mandated dress codes past "cover your genitals" - the state should not force me to wear a hijab, nor should it prevent me from doing so. Additionally, the state should not force anyone to wear shirts. Private businesses should be welcome to enforce whatever dress code they desire. As long as someone's genitals aren't visible, that's as much as the state should care.

Watching live action porn is cheating on your partner - if it would be cheating for your partner to sit in someone's pushes and jerk off to watching people have sex through a window, it's cheating when it happens through a screen.

Businesses should be required to provide equal amounts of paternity and maternity leave - men need just as much time with their child as women do, and this makes it so businesses are less likely to avoid hiring women to avoid paying maternity leave.

Tax fraud should be legal for people who make below the median income in the US, and people who make below the median income should never be subject to audits by the IRS.

Against all cosmetic surgery other than reconstructive - the problem is that you have a different version of yourself in your head from reality. You need to accept yourself, not chase an impossible idea of perfection. This includes "gender" transition. We don't treat anorexia by letting people starve to death.

Eventually I'll come back and add sources for these claims. I'm willing to discuss any of these over dms.

People laid flowers on Friday outside Zagreb Municipal Court in memory of three women who were killed in a small courtroom before a divorce case hearing on September 22, 1999 – a day now marked in Croatia as the National Day Against Violence Against Women.

Twenty three years ago at the court, Mato Oraskic murdered his wife Gordana Oraskic, judge Ljiljana Hvalec and lawyer Hajra Prohic, while seriously wounding court clerk Stanka Cvetkovic.

Oraskic became the first person in Croatia to be sentenced to a maximum of 40 years in prison.

“The fight against violence against women is a priority of the government of the Republic of Croatia. It is a value issue, an obligation of all institutions and the whole of society,” Croatian Prime Minister Andrej Plenkovic said in a statement to mark the National Day Against Violence Against Women.

Plenkovic recalled that the government on September 13 presented a package of changes to the law against violence against women and children.

The specific crime of femicide was introduced, for which the prison sentence will be at least ten years. The rights of victims were expanded, sexual harassment was made a criminal offence, the punishment for rape was increased, and the statute of limitations for child sexual abuse was abolished.

A delegation from the opposition Social Democratic Party, SDP laid flowers in front of the courthouse where the women were killed in 1999.

The president of the SDP, Pedja Grbin, said that the party supports the changes to the law, but believes they do not go far enough.

“What Croatia especially needs is education in order to change and understand how much violence against women and how much violence in general is harmful to the very fabric of society because it destroys its fundamental basis,” Grbin said.

Violence against women remains a serious problem in Croatia, a leading Croatian association for the protection of women’s and human rights, B.a.B.e. (Be active. Be emancipated), said in a statement to coincide with the National Day Against Violence Against Women.

In the first eight months of this year, 1,000 women turned to B.a.B.e. for help, and 426 of them came forward because of domestic violence.

“Most of [the cases] are combined forms of violence. Women are most often simultaneously victims of several forms of domestic violence – mental, physical and economic violence, and we cannot say that some forms of violence are more prevalent than others,” the association said.

B.a.B.e. added that in the year to September, its safe house provided accommodation for 51 people – 22 women and 29 children who were victims of domestic violence.

Earlier this week, the findings of the first research into gender-based violence conducted in Croatia, with a sample of 23,000 respondents, were made public.

“This research is extensive; the questionnaire itself had 70 pages, and the interviewer’s manual 700 pages,” said Dubravka Rogic-Hadzalic, head of the Department of Demographic and Social Statistics at the Croatian State Statistical Office, whose experts were involved in the EU-financed survey.

The research findings suggested that gender-based violence is somewhat more prevalent in Croatia than in other countries in the former Yugoslav region. For example, 20 per cent of women in Montenegro and 21 per cent of women in Serbia stated that they had been exposed to psychological violence by their partners, while in Croatia, the figure was 27 per cent.

Rogic-Hadzalic told BIRN that the research is particularly important because the findings will inform legal, social and health policies in Croatia.

Dragana Jeckov, an MP from the Independent Serbian Democratic Party, SDSS, also raised the issue in the Croatian parliament on Friday.

“When it comes to violence against women, we should be honest and say that we are not doing well; in fact, we are doing very badly,” Jeckov said in a speech.

She noted that in the last 20 years, more than 400 women have been killed in Croatia, and that Croatia ranks third in the EU when it comes to the number of women who have been murdered.

Politics is going to do you.

The point of view expressed by this Nina Turner Tweet aligns with my views. I believe that this articulates quite simply an issue that is at the core of our democratic society. I will expand further, into what it means when citizens are uninvolved in politics and the effect this has on how political parties run for goverment. Also the question of why, why do so many believe that because they do not partake in the political sphere it removes them from its effects.

A specific political issue that affects me is the youth voter turnout, I believe that younger voters fall victim to the mentality that Turner is outlining. The fledgling early ’20s holds a lot to learn, political prowess falls behind other priorities. We know that the turnout for youth voters in New Zealand is the lowest across the board. During the 2020 election, the least votes came from 25-30 yr-olds and the most from 65-69 yr-olds. 

I see this first-hand as many of my friends are not enrolled to vote or if they are will vote for who their parents are voting for. This means that I have spent plenty of time encouraging friends over a flat white to be active participants in the political arena.  

The problem is not a lack of access to information as the internet allows personal education however this alone is not going to motivate voters. What I have learnt is that going to the polling booth is not the only way to be political but it is the only way to engage in the democratic process. Placing a vote for the people and party you want to represent your best interests makes sense, but that puts the focus on the outcomes of political engagement. With politics flooding into almost every part of modern life through our hyper-connectedness due to the internet citizens are able to act politically by choosing which brands they buy. For example, after learning about the environmental impacts of fast fashion I became a lot more conscious about what brands I supported. This is a personal and individual way of practising politics. Outlining how there can be different levels of engagement with politics.     

The overall lack of engaged voters is an issue that is appearing all over the world, with more people voting during the big brother final than the British general election. This is where we should start this conversation, we know that there is the capacity to vote when motivated. So why are these citizens not voting for politicians who will be making real-world decisions on their behalf? Arguably the big brother contestants are under 24hr surveillance. The public is exposed to every part of the contestants giving an intimate understanding of who these people are. On the other hand, politicians are an artfully crafted mirage of policy, hidden agenda and personal gain. What would a Big Brother filled with politicians look like? Would they engage more voters? In reality, the news media are the ones that carry this responsibility, I have found at times the media's reporting of politics is similar to the back and forth of a schoolyard bicker and the media exacerbates this. Politicians claim that the cynicism that has surrounded politics can come from the way it has been reported, but this is the role of the media. Political accountability is well within the role of journalism. 

 The introduction of social media has once again evolved the way politicians can interact with the public, due to the consistent access to applications like Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. Just being an active user during an election will lead to plenty of sponsored posts invading your timeline. The comparison of the election sign on the side of the road is an eye sore but far less invasive than the sponsored posts. Like influencers, the crafted politician's social media interaction is well thought out. During the New Zealand election in 2017 when Adern was attempting a takeover from Nationals Bill English. Aderns team posted 85 posts, compared to the National party's 169. The ability to promote in this way extends the politician from a face on a billboard to a person behaving in a similar way to friends and family. However, the way online presence is being used is closer to what they are already doing offline, just within the virtual sphere.  This medium could have been effective at connecting the people who ‘don't do politics to politicians that represent what they care about.

In my own experience with this, during the local Hutt Valley election candidate, Chris Bishop began a social media campaign on Snapchat. Clearly, this was not a great step to take as the people that he was adding were children from the local schools, understandably parents were upset at this method of community connection. A clear misstep online that could have had dire consequences for his campaign. 

Having experienced the youth voter mentality and observing the online behaviour of politicians. It is unsurprising that online presence alone is not enough to ensure voters vote. The media's role while criticised I believe is valuable to hold politicians to account. Nina Turner's Tweet is correct as politics affects many parts of daily life, I have outlined how some citizens may hold this belief from the blunders politicians have made online

Gibraltar Firm Being Targeted With Ransomware Prompts Police Warning - TAG Consultancy

A business in Gibraltar recently being hit with a ransomware attack has prompted authorities in the British Overseas Territory to warn other firms about this risk, while advising them on how they can minimise their own risk of cyber-attacks, and what to do in the event of being impacted. 

What is ransomware? 

The term “ransomware” is short for “ransom malware”; it refers to a type of cyber attack that prevents the affected user from getting into their computer system until they have paid a ransom. 

Attackers typically leave a “ransom note”, which tells the victim that the only way to access their files is to use a “key” that can only be bought from the attackers. The victim is then usually given a 48-hour window in which to contact the attackers – otherwise, they face their files being deleted and/or shared on various parts of the web, such as hackers’ forums. 

In a ransomware situation like this, the attackers usually send a link to the dark web, which gives them a means of contacting their victims and making demands without revealing their identities. 

Ransomware has a long history, the earliest versions from the late 1980s demanding that payment be sent through the postal system. Today, however, the targets of ransomware attacks are typically asked to send payment via cryptocurrency or credit card. 

Gibraltar police shares advice and guidance on combating ransomware risk 

The warning on the ransomware risk to businesses was issued by the Royal Gibraltar Police (RGP), which said its investigation was ongoing into an attack on a local firm. 

An RGP spokesperson was quoted as saying by SUR in English: “If anyone believes that they have been targeted, they should speak to an IT professional or their Internet Service Provider for help, as they may be able to assist immediately in preventing the attack from continuing.

“If a ransomware attack is confirmed, the relevant server/computer should be considered as a crime scene, which contains vital evidence. It is important to keep a timeline of events and to save server logs, web logs, email logs, network graphs and reports. These would assist in any future investigation.” 

The RGP also set out various steps that businesses in Gibraltar can take to minimise their likelihood of becoming subject to a ransomware attack in the first place. Those included only browsing and downloading software from trusted websites, and ensuring they did not download any unknown or non-trusted software. 

The police force also urged local businesspeople to install and keep antivirus and firewall software on their computers, and to take the time to regularly back up the data stored on their devices. 

How can TAG Consultancy make your life easier as a businessperson this autumn and winter? 

As we leave the summer months behind, businesses in Gibraltar are looking to how they can best cater to their priorities over the last few months of 2022. But is your own firm in the British Overseas Territory suitably supported by the most professional and capable experts? 

With our own solutions here at TAG Consultancy encompassing leading accounting, payroll and audit services, business development assistance, help with launching an AML compliant ICO, and so much more, there’s no need for you to look any further than our team for such knowhow, this year or beyond. Simply contact us now to learn more about how we could work together.