The survey,carried out by Otago University, covered more than 100 of the 120 members of the House of Parliament. Photo / Ross Setford
The survey,carried out by Otago University, covered more than 100 of the 120 members of the House of Parliament. Photo / Ross Setford
Opinion
System leaves politicians open to unwanted attention from the fixated and agitated.
It will have come as no surprise to national and local politicians to see a study issued this week finding 9 out of 10 members of Parliament have been subject to harassment. One in 10 had been physically assaulted, according to the Otago University survey of more than 100 ofthe 120 members of the House.
The study found abuse manifested itself through electronic communications and social media as well as persistent personal visits to offices and even Parliament itself. Perhaps the most worrying aspects for the politicians involve the use of the names of their children in threatening communications.
Unfortunately it is the lot of elected public officials to attract the attentions of the fixated and unreasonable; people who feel officialdom has ignored or wronged them. The survey notes that many of those who abuse and harass MPs suffer from mental health issues, although it fairly points out that not many of those with mental health problems indulge in this kind of behaviour.
Electorate offices are the front door for the disaffected and agitated and often it is MPs' staff who face unwelcome attention.
The survey raises the potential for a threat assessment unit to monitor those of concern to MPs. It is probably not before time. We operate an open, accessible system of weekend and weekday clinics with our representatives. None of them deserve to face risks without sensible precautions. And if these individuals are actively targeting politicians, they may also turn their attention to the public.
