Online harassment reaches new heights as 'emboldened manosphere' emerges: report

In the days following Donald Trump's presidential victory, an alarming surge in misogynistic rhetoric and threats against women has emerged online and in real life, according to a report from the Associated Press. Dubbed the 'emboldened manosphere', the trend has left many women feeling unsafe and compelled to take protective measures.

Sadie Perez, a 19-year-old political science student in Wisconsin profiled in AP's report, now carries pepper spray with her on campus. Her mother ordered self-defense kits for her and her sister.

This reaction stems from the rise of right-wing 'manosphere' influencers who have seized on Trump's win to amplify misogynistic content online.

A troubling trend is the appropriation of the pro-choice slogan "My body, my choice" into "Your body, my choice," a phrase that has spread rapidly online. Attributed to a post by far-right figure Nick Fuentes, it garnered 35 million views on its first day on X. The slogan has since appeared in middle schools, college campuses, and even on t-shirts — which were later removed by Amazon.

Online declarations calling to "Repeal the 19th" Amendment (which gave women the right to vote) have gained millions of views.

While Trump himself isn't directly amplifying this rhetoric, his campaign's focus on masculinity and repeated attacks on Kamala Harris's gender and race have contributed to the current climate. Dana Brown from the Pennsylvania Center for Women and Politics suggests that for some men, Trump's victory represents a chance to reclaim traditional gender roles they feel they're losing.

Despite the fear and disgust many women feel, some are fighting back. Perez and her peers are supporting each other, celebrating wins like female majorities in student government, and encouraging women to speak out against the misogynistic rhetoric. As Perez puts it, "I want to encourage my friends and the women in my life to use their voices to call out this rhetoric and to not let fear take over."