Politicians raise security concerns as new research shines light on abuse faced by female MPs

There’s no doubt about it, being a parliamentarian is a public facing, high-stress, demanding job.

You’re exposed, scrutinised, and your decisions affect the entire country – for better, or worse.

But, do the high-stakes constitute the abuse they face, some on a daily basis?

Recently, we’ve seen Minister Shane Jones and his wife Dot accosted at an airport, increased security for Mayors Wayne Brown and Tania Tapsell, and death threats aimed at Green MP Benjamin Doyle – but those are all just stories from the last month.

University of Otago research out today shows female MPs are being assaulted with weapons, threatened with rape, and subjected to death threats – and it’s become commonplace.

Today on The Front Page, senior author and professor Susanna Every-Palmer is with us to talk about whether it’s high-time to better protect our elected officials.

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