A spate of distressing TikTok videos have circulated depicting young men describing the ways they could kill women, and ending their videos with ‘and you f**king die’.
The videos begin with the word ‘imagine’, and then go on to describe a date, followed by a horrific act of assault, then end with the death of the victim.
Compiled mostly by men —some with hundreds of thousands of followers— the videos show the creators smiling or posing in front of the camera, accompanied by a song with the text of the disturbing one-line descriptions on the screen.
Some videos have garnered more than half a million likes, indicating the pervasive misogyny that continues to proliferate throughout society, especially online.
According to reporter Emily Lefroy, many videos have been taken down by TikTok, though several remain online and new videos are being uploaded everyday.
Allan Ball, the director of White Ribbon Australia told Lefroy he was not shocked by these videos that, according to him, reinforce and emphasise “aggression and dispersed respect towards women in the most repugnant way.”
“We know as an Australian society, we have got a problem,” he said. “The solution, sits with young men and with men of Australia.”
“We know Australian men and boys in particular hold attitudes towards women and girls that are not okay.”
“[Also] to understand gender equality and to act in a way that’s more consistent to what I think Australian men believe they are to be.”
Ball added that it was a “mainstream issue”. “Every corporate Australian organisation needs to take accountability for gender equality, needs to take accountability to supporting narratives that promote women’s independence to women’s rights and women’s safety.”
If you or someone you know is impacted by family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.
Support is available for those who may be distressed by phoning Lifeline 13 11 14; Mensline 1300 789 978; Kids Helpline 1800 551 800; beyondblue 1300 224 636.