It's no secret that female streamers receive a lot of inappropriate comments and unfair harassment from viewers online. From Pokimane to Alinity, it seems a large majority of these streaming mainstays have experience with viewers who break the boundaries constantly, sending disgusting messages and making them worry about their own safety. It seems yet another example of this shocking side of the streaming community has been revealed today, with Twitch icon Sweet Anita sharing her experience with a persistent stalker sending her death threats. This article will contain mentions of violence and sexual assault. Reader discretion is advised.
Sharing more of her story a few days ago on Twitter, Anita revealed to the world a series of deeply disturbing messages sent to her by a stalker she's been dealing with for several months. Back in April, the streamer believed the stalker had been finally dealt with, telling fans that he was convicted by local law enforcement, given a restraining order, and would likely receive two months jail time.
However, that was not the case. A week ago, Anita revealed that the stalker was back, and worse, he was sending her a series of horrific messages. Posted on a stream, the man in question commented "I'll kill you soon. Not with the cheap kitchen knife I had last time. No, I'm going to bring something special for you." According to Anita, last time he left her disturbing messages such as these, "he sat outside my house waiting for me to come out all day, then followed me to a shop. When I asked if he was armed he silently smirked and then chased me. Two men had to grab him so that I could escape."
Many told Anita to once again get the police involved, yet, the streamer revealed that local law enforcement was doing very little to ensure her safety. "The police came, advised me to lock my doors and call 999 if he shows up again. Neither knew what Doxing is, that it is a crime, or what live streaming is. It would appear that no further action is being taken, I have to wait for him to harm me again before they will take action," Anita claimed on Twitter, revealing the major flaws in the police system.
She goes on to state: "If anything happens to me, I really hope that I'm the last canary in the coal mine. The law needs to change, No job should have such a high risk of rape, assault or death, especially not live streaming." Anita is without question entirely correct. The fact that she has been contacted by her stalker so frequently and that he has even attempted to physically assault her before yet full police action is still not being taken is horrific, and there need to be some major changes to how law enforcement deals with online-related issues.