'Don't be a bystander': Tips on dealing with increase in online attacks with Voice referendum approaching

Australia's e-Safety Commissioner Julie Inman Grant says the eSafety office is monitoring reports of increased levels of hate speech online targeting First Nations Australians, particularly youth. The body, which monitors harmful content online, has conducted research finding Indigenous youth are three times more likely to experience hate speech online than their non-Indigenous counterparts. Indigenous psychologist and suicide prevention advocate Dr Tracy Westerman says she's observed an increase in trolling and attacks on social media as the Voice referendum approaches. Dr Westerman is the founder of the charity, The Westerman Jilya Institute for Indigenous Mental Health. She told Biwa Kwan there are strategies for dealing with the problem.

Psychologist Tracy Westerman is the founder of the charity, The Westerman Jilya Institute for Indigenous Mental Health. Source: Supplied / Ross Swanborough/The West Australian / WestPix

The national crisis support line for Indigenous Australians is 13YARN (13 92 76). Lifeline Australia can be contacted on 13 11 14.

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