Outgoing Bridgnorth mayor reveals 'onslaught' of social media abuse
The outgoing mayor of Bridgnorth has spoken of the "onslaught of social media abuse" she has faced during her time in office.
Councillor Kirstie Hurst-Knight addressed the issue at the annual town council meeting on Tuesday – the first in-person meeting for more than a year – where a working group was formed to consider ways to combat future abuse.
Towards the end of her tenure, she reported receiving online hate which "heightened" nearer the time of the local elections earlier this month, at which she secured a position representing the town on Shropshire Council.
At the meeting, she thanked fellow councillors, health workers, local businesses and charities for their work over the last 15 months, before highlighting the negativity she had faced.
Councillor Hurst-Knight said: "I signed up for this role and took it very seriously and did it to the very best of my ability with enthusiasm, compassion and a real sense of professionalism in my duties.
"However, I didn’t sign up for the onslaught of social media abuse that was personally directed at me and only heightened nearer election time.
"So, to the outgoing councillors, we all volunteered our time to make a difference and working with you all has been rewarding and I personally thank you for your contributions.
"To the new councillors, good luck, I wish you all the very best in taking the new-look council forward.
"Council is a place of debate, we don’t always agree, nor should we. It's in the debate that we represent this town and the decisions made for the greater good."
She added that friends and family members had seen the "horrible" comments which felt like a "witch hunt".
At the meeting Councillor Sarah Barlow was elected mayor for the forthcoming year.
The newly-elected deputy mayor, Councillor Karen Sawbridge, put forward the idea to form a working group to help prevent future abuse.
"I was quite horrified to hear what Kirstie, our previous mayor, has said," Councillor Sawbridge said.
"It seems to me it's important we protect our members."
Speaking to Councillor Barlow, Councillor Sawbridge added: "I certainly wouldn't like you, madam mayor, to be subject to abuse in the same way the previous mayor was – it's just not right.
"We're giving up our time and doing our best for the community at large – it doesn't feel right to suffer personal abuse."
Councillor Barlow added: "I'm concerned that lots of information out there on different social media platforms gets misconstrued.
"If you're someone that doesn't look on social media, you can't defend yourself and there can be all sorts of things said.
"We are volunteering and giving up our time and it is very difficult.
"There's been times I've read stuff and ended up having to come off social media as it can be quite distressing."
It was agreed a working group consisting of Councillors Barlow, Charlotte Round and Ian Wellings would form a draft social media policy to be discussed at the next council meeting.
