- Jurisdiction
- New York
Recently, members (or alumni) of my state university in New York have created an instagram account called @shareyourstoryschool (i will not include the school, so the word school is a placeholder for the name of the school)
This account's purpose is to serve as a platform for people to share their rape, harassment and abuse stories. Victim blaming is discouraged. This is supposed to be a safe place for people who felt previously unheard or uncomfortable to share their stories.
The way the account works is as follows:
In a google form provided, users can anonymously submit a story that they experienced. They are not directly encouraged to use names and organizations in their stories, but they are welcome to if they do so choose.
Once the stories are recieved, if they fit the general criteria of being a story of harassment, rape, abuse, etc. they are posted to the account for anyone to view. This account is public.
As some users choose to share direct names and organizations in their story (the university, residential life, greek life etc to show negligence of action), those stated are being rightfully (or unrightfully) shamed for their alleged actions. Many times, people in the comments tag the university, as well as the alleged organizations involved.
People and orgs are thusly getting publicly shamed and are being called out as a "call to action" based on these stories. They want people to admit to these actions as well as wanting the organization to do something to hold these people accountable.
I assume the stated names face tons of damage to their mental health, as well as loss of association with organizations they are apart of etc.
While it must be very empowering for individuals to share their story with anonymity, these claims quite frankly seem unsubstantiated in the medium which they are being shared. The account does great things to bring sexual violence issues to the forefront, encouraging more action and awareness. Nonetheless, I can't help but recognize there may be something deeply problematic with this platform as people can be defamed and slandered via anonymous claims.
My question then is:
Is this instagram account and the people who run it liable if someone accuses them of libel or defamation of character, and can prove related damages?
This account's purpose is to serve as a platform for people to share their rape, harassment and abuse stories. Victim blaming is discouraged. This is supposed to be a safe place for people who felt previously unheard or uncomfortable to share their stories.
The way the account works is as follows:
In a google form provided, users can anonymously submit a story that they experienced. They are not directly encouraged to use names and organizations in their stories, but they are welcome to if they do so choose.
Once the stories are recieved, if they fit the general criteria of being a story of harassment, rape, abuse, etc. they are posted to the account for anyone to view. This account is public.
As some users choose to share direct names and organizations in their story (the university, residential life, greek life etc to show negligence of action), those stated are being rightfully (or unrightfully) shamed for their alleged actions. Many times, people in the comments tag the university, as well as the alleged organizations involved.
People and orgs are thusly getting publicly shamed and are being called out as a "call to action" based on these stories. They want people to admit to these actions as well as wanting the organization to do something to hold these people accountable.
I assume the stated names face tons of damage to their mental health, as well as loss of association with organizations they are apart of etc.
While it must be very empowering for individuals to share their story with anonymity, these claims quite frankly seem unsubstantiated in the medium which they are being shared. The account does great things to bring sexual violence issues to the forefront, encouraging more action and awareness. Nonetheless, I can't help but recognize there may be something deeply problematic with this platform as people can be defamed and slandered via anonymous claims.
My question then is:
Is this instagram account and the people who run it liable if someone accuses them of libel or defamation of character, and can prove related damages?