Online abuse of Rotherham councillors a ‘persistent’ risk
Online abuse and harassment have emerged as the “most persistent developing risk” facing Rotherham councillors, according to a council review.
Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council is considering new measures to protect elected members and challenge the normalisation of abuse, including a dedicated wellbeing guide and public communications campaign.
A report due before the standards and ethics committee on September 10 found “substantial and comprehensive” support arrangements were already in place.
The report stressed that lawful criticism, scrutiny and robust disagreement must remain protected.
The review identified online abuse as a growing concern, with some material failing to meet thresholds for criminal action or removal by social media companies.
Repeated incidents could have a “serious cumulative impact,” it said, even when individual messages did not lead to action.
Better central recording could help identify recurring perpetrators, patterns of behaviour and changes in the types of incidents reported.
The council was assessed against five principles from the Local Government Association’s Debate Not Hate campaign.
Four areas, including risk management and support systems, were judged comprehensive. However, its public promotion of a culture of safety and respect was rated only “partial”.
A proposed communications plan would explain what crosses the line into abuse, promote respectful engagement and outline possible action.
Campaign messages could appear on social media, posters, council correspondence and at public meetings, with anonymised case studies illustrating the impact of abuse.
The committee will be asked to approve an action plan, develop a councillor wellbeing guide and portal, and receive a progress report within 12 months.
The work follows a cross-party motion passed in July committing the council to a zero-tolerance approach to abuse of councillors and officers.
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