A NEW reporting structure has been created to support women who may face abuse when standing for public office.

Operation Awake – a partnership between Salisbury Soroptimists and Wiltshire Police – is an online reporting tool that allows women standing at this year’s Wiltshire Council elections to report any abuse they may receive, with support on hand.

Those standing have been given a link to a reporting system on the Wiltshire Police website where such incidents can be logged and will be dealt with under the Operation Awake protocol.

Salisbury Soroptimists aim to make a positive difference to the lives of women in public life and to encourage women to consider standing for public office, serving their communities and furthering their careers without the “shadow of this kind of abuse”.

“We want to encourage women to stand for public office and are keen to make sure there are no barriers to them doing so,” said Liz Batten, Making our City Safer Project lead of Salisbury Soroptimists.

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“Criticisms of politicians for their politics or for their policies is acceptable, but gender abuse in the form of emails and social media posts, in some cases threatening violence, often sexual and with deeply upsetting content is not.”

A spokesperson added: “Together with Wiltshire Police we want to say to such abusers – ‘it’s not ok’ to treat women this way!”

Voters will be going to the polls on May 1 to decide who should represent them at both town/city/parish level as well as at Wiltshire Council.

The response to the scheme has been overwhelmingly positive from candidates and officers alike, Salisbury Soroptimists said.

One person who praised the scheme said: “This is an incredibly important initiative, and I will forward this onto our women candidates to make sure they are aware of Operation Awake.

“Social media has sadly created a political environment which is often malicious and intimidating; generally, this is doubly so for women.

“I have been involved in politics for 40 years now. It feels that much of the progress that we have made towards equality is going into reverse.”

Another said: “This initiative is truly amazing and thanks to you and the Soroptimists for your support.”