The English Twitch streamer “Sweet Anita” (32) criticizes the government in the UK for not doing enough to combat stalking. She fights for a change but does not know where to start.
What is stalking? Stalking refers to the “repeated unlawful following, tracking, persistent harassment, threatening and terrorizing of a person against their will.” Stalkers are often former partners (via police advice), but especially for public figures, even supposed fans can develop an unhealthy obsession.
For instance, the streamer Kaitlyn “Amouranth” Siragusa reported in June 2022 about a stalker who moved from Estonia to a hotel near her because of her. On March 2, 2023, she shared on her personal Twitter account that the man was back and had tried to break into her while she was at a press conference for her boxing event.
On March 3, the English streamer Sweet Anita also spoke up via Twitter about her stalking experiences and her efforts to change the legal situation.
What experiences does the streamer have with stalkers? As the streamer reports, years ago she had to defend herself against a burglar in her house. Later, someone slept in her garden, waiting for her to leave the house and attacked her in front of witnesses.
The police did not take action in either case, the 32-year-old said. We have embedded the beginning of the thread here:
What has she done? Sweet Anita explains that she reached out directly to the lawmakers of the United Kingdom regarding the “stalking situation”. Together with a member of parliament, she submitted proposals for the prosecution of stalkers.
However, the streamer’s proposals were rejected. Apparently, the government believes it is already doing enough, according to Sweet Anita. In the meantime, people are dying or their lives are being ruined.
My friends and people I admire are completely ignored while their lives are at stake. Behaviors that are “technically” illegal are not prosecuted.
Sweet Anita emphasizes that this is not just a problem in her country. The case of Amouranth shows that it is a global problem.
In the comments, many women share their own experiences with stalkers. The German streamer Baso also commented on the topic and condemned what women have to deal with online (via Twitter).
What happens next? Sweet Anita does not want to give up: She is willing to do everything to bring about change. However, she does not know where to start. She is there to help if anyone has an idea (via Twitter).
If you or people around you are affected by stalking, contact the police. You can also find advice on the website of the aid organization Weißer Ring. The general victim hotline can be reached at 0116 006 daily between 7:00 AM and 10:00 PM.
Women also have to deal with a lot online. The YouTuber Gnu reported on the sexualization she and others experience and calls on platforms like Reddit to take more responsibility.
Twitch streamer Gnu is disgusted by content about her on Reddit – “No boundaries are set”
