Trolling or sexual abuse: 5 women recount their experience

Trolls have been systematically targeting women and minorities. Freedom of expression doesn't include the right to someone else's attention or mindspace — though trolls often invoke free speech when blocked. In the Indian social context, trolling is much worse for some. Women, Muslims and members of the LGBTQ community. Mental space is precious, and trolls by definition don't take ideas forward. An abusive or even just a boring and repetitive handle is easier to block or mute than swatting a fly. Talking about what you're going through helps, whether it is to friends, your online community or counsellors. So, we talked to women about being targeted by trolls. Trolls abuse because they cannot win the argument rationally. They want to make you angry, frustrated and helpless. They thrive on anonymity, which mimics violent crowd behaviour associated with rioting and other forms of mob violence, such as men harassing and molesting women in public transport, among others.