Victoria University Student Leader Faces Death Threats During Campaign

Aría Lal, a student leader at Victoria University, has become a target of online death threats amid her campaign for a second term as education officer. The situation escalated after Lal received an alarming email with the subject line: “Resign or die.” This message, which contained explicit threats, left her feeling vulnerable and fearful for her safety.

Lal, known for her vibrant campaign featuring pink posters and humorous videos, has been an advocate for equity in education, focusing on the needs of Māori and Pasifika peoples, women, people of colour, LGBTQI+ individuals, and students with disabilities. However, her commitment to these causes has come at a significant personal cost.

Two weeks after the initial threat, Lal received another email from a different address, which made ominous references to her campaign materials and even a café she frequented. The message contained threatening language that suggested surveillance: “I’ve been watching @ your office… keep thinking ur safe behind glass and lanyards. But when the week ends? So do u slut.” The implication of being watched heightened the distress caused by these threats.

Lal commented on the nature of the harassment, noting that the messages did not engage with her policies or campaign values but rather attacked her character. “They don’t talk about my policies or what I stand for — only that I’m a bitch or a slut,” she stated. “If I was a man, I wouldn’t be receiving this.” Despite the emotional toll, Lal opted not to report the threats to the police, choosing instead to scale back her campaign activities and limit her time on campus.

Support poured in from friends and university officials, who offered counseling and security assistance. Deputy Vice-Chancellor Logan Bannister condemned the harassment, affirming that there is “no place for such behaviour” at the university.

The threats directed at Lal reflect a troubling pattern of gender-based abuse experienced by women in public roles. Former Victoria University Student Association president Marcail Parkinson recounted her own experiences with intense online harassment after making a decision to ensure diversity in a panel discussion. “It was the comments about my appearance, saying I shouldn’t be at university, that’s what got to me,” she recalled. Parkinson now avoids public-facing roles, describing her experience as “formative but exhausting.”

Similarly, Lee Li, a student leader and filmmaker at the University of Auckland, faced targeted backlash during her campaign, leading to the need for security at one of her debates. She expressed that the experience was both “invalidating and scary,” but also reinforced her determination to advocate for her community.

Experts highlight that these incidents underscore systemic issues within educational institutions. John Fenaughty, a psychologist from the University of Auckland who studies youth wellbeing, pointed out that New Zealand has a longstanding problem with student bullying. He urged educational authorities to enhance protections for student leaders to combat the growing abuse faced by women and minority voices.

The rising tide of harassment faced by individuals in leadership roles, both on campus and in broader political contexts, has reignited discussions regarding the need for safer spaces and stronger accountability mechanisms. Despite the trauma from the threats, Lal remains resolute. “It’s achieved what they wanted, they’re in my head,” she remarked. “But it’s failed because I’m still here. I’m still speaking up, still representing others. And that’s not going to stop.”

Lal’s experience serves as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by women in leadership and the urgent need for collective action to foster a safer environment for all.