Facebook Bans Clementine Ford From Own Account For 30 Days

On Friday, a post by writer and activist Clementine Ford struck a chord – among you, readers, and among thousands of Australians fighting to stamp out victim shaming across the country. 

Ford’s post, calling bullshit on a Facebook post by Sunrise—which asked, “when will women learn?” in regards to a horrific nude photo leak affecting hundreds of Australian women this week—drew the support of thousands on Facebook. Because, plain and simple: sharing photos sent in confidence (without consent) is a cyber crime. It’s damaging, not only to the victims, but to the overarching fight against the insidious tendrils of rape culture. 
But overnight, in a move that rewards abusers, and punishers the whistleblowers, Clementine Ford has been banned from her own Facebook page, after violating “community standards” by publishing screenshots of online abuse sent to her account. 

The irony, right there? Blistering. Infuriating. 

Today, we asked Clementine about her thoughts on the ban, and the double standards it represents:
“It’s ridiculous. I wasn’t even blocked for the original protest photo but for reposting abusive messages that men sent to me and wanted me to suffer with privately. And there are extremely worrying indications that FB doesn’t even examine these reports – one of the notifications I got said they had removed a post because it contained nudity, but it was just screencaps of messages sent between three boys about how I was a filthy cunt. 

The worst part is it’s my fourth ban, and all of them have been for reposting images of unsolicited, vile messages that the senders have then complained about me posting. I use my page for work and community activism, and a 30 day ban significantly impacts my ability to do my job. I’m worried that if this keeps happening, they’ll permanently unpublished the page and two years of profile building and important discussion archives will just disappear, even as men and boys continue to be allowed to post on and publish pages dedicated to misogyny.” 
On Friday, we asked Clementine Ford about some critics’ argument against her move to publish the names and messages of dudes requesting nudes, or sending their own NSFW photos to her account. 
I think there’s a big difference between showcasing unsolicited sexual harassment and backlash and betraying the trust that has been built between people who share an intimacy. The two are completely incomparable.” 
And blocking Ford’s account? It does nothing but encourage women to hold their tongues on the issues that affect them the most.

We’ve seen community guidelines lead to questionable blocking of accounts or content in the past. Like photographer Rupi Kaur, who saw her photo—documenting her period—removed from Instagram, flagged by community guidelines. But after many called out the move online, Kaur’s photo was, thankfully, reinstated.

The same kind of turnaround could work in Clementine Ford’s favour – as long as her supporters make enough noise online against it. 
An online petition calling for Facebook to reinstate Clementine Ford’s access to her own account has already emerged online, saying, “Society needs to stand up for the victims when they are being silenced.” You can sign the petition here. 
Alternatively, a protest like this would be equally, if not more, badass.

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