Women who are active online regularly face down trolls and threats, but they're starting to fight back. And for one Australian man, an abusive online comment has resulted in real world consequences.
Feminist writer Clementine Ford, who often bears the brunt of vitriol on social media, was called a "slut" by Michael Nolan on Facebook.
The original comment was posted by Nolan on Nov. 25, in response to a post where Ford called out another man for making degrading comments.
Unfortunately for him, Nolan had his employer, hotel chain Meriton Apartments, listed on his Facebook profile.
Ford called for Meriton Apartments to take notice of the bad behaviour. "I wonder if the folks over at Meriton Apartments are aware that a man listing himself as a supervisor for their business likes to leave comments on women's facebook pages calling them sluts," she wrote.
Ford later edited the post, asking why men should get away with this type of behaviour. "There are basically no consequences for men who behave like this, so we have to start making consequences for them," she wrote.
On Monday, Ford posted on Facebook that calling out Nolan had had results.
Since the incident, Ford was told by Meriton they had investigated the matter. The company explicitly stated they didn't "condone" his behaviour and that his employment had been terminated.
Adding to Meriton's response, Ford said that maybe Nolan "will think twice next time before using his social media account to call a woman 'slut' when she speaks out against online misogyny."
Addressing online accusations that she was to blame for the man's unemployment, she stated "he is responsible for his actions" and the "things he writes and the attitudes he holds."
Ford also thanked Meriton Apartments for taking the matter seriously.
Following the incident, Nolan didn't appear apologetic . He stated on his Facebook profile that "Nows the time to drop my mixtape," and responded to a friend asking whether he had actually lost his job with "Yea Brah," according to New Matilda.
Remember ladies, never 'ruin a man's career or livelihood' by using his words or actions against him.— Clementine Ford (@clementine_ford) November 30, 2015
This is not the first time Ford has pushed back against online sexism. In June, three Adelaide High School students were suspended after sending Ford abusive messages and joking about violence against women.
"It's girls and women who are expected to 'know better' when it comes to posting things online," she wrote after the Nolan incident. "Tables are turning, boys."
In other words, boom.
Meriton and Michael Nolan have been contacted for comment.