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Upskirting activist Gina Martin says vile abuse 'nearly made me quit but I didn't give up'

An activist who fronted the campaign to make upskirting a criminal offence wants to embolden others to champion causes after “terrifying” abuse almost made her give up.

Gina Martin, 27, who was a victim of upskirting herself, said she received around 60 derogatory messages within two days after the Lords passed a bill to criminalise the offence.

Over the course of her 18-month campaign she told the Standard she received hundreds of attacks through social media - some as severe as rape threats.

“At the beginning it made me want to give up,” said Ms Martin, who started her movement after photos were taken up her skirt without her permission during a concert in Hyde Park.

“But I thought, ‘I’m not going to stop that attitude by just giving up.'"

The London-based activist said whenever her profile has been raised due to the campaign’s prominence she has received abuse online.

“I’ve become a bit desensitised to it, which is worrying. You shouldn’t have to become desensitised.

“You should be really vigilant and alert, it could translate into something real life, which is terrifying,” she said.

Though she has accomplished her goal of having the law put in place, alongside lawyer Ryan Whelan, Ms Martin is continuing to campaign for societal change and believes education is key to stop the act ever being committed in the first place.

As she continues her work she hopes her actions will encourage others, citing the power of the internet as a means of connecting with people to make a difference.

“I think a lot of people feel disenfranchised but I’m living proof you can change things if you work hard and you get the right support,” she said.

After taking a short break from campaigning, which she said was an all-encompassing task, she has scheduled to go into schools, colleges and universities to educate young people on the use of social media.

As well as this she has meetings lined up with the Ministry of Justice linked to issues raised by her campaign.

“It’s so normalised, women’s bodies are just normalised for public consumption.

“I’m sure a lot of people have done that [taken pictures up women’s skirts] and thought it was a prank or not a big deal,” she said, expressing her desire to change that perception.

Advising anybody who becomes a victim of upskirting, she said she feels it is key to make people aware.

At the point it happens, she suggested ensuring if possible you can speak to witnesses and get any sort of evidence possible that it happened.

Then reporting it to police she said is a key matter – as even if they are unable to prosecute in every instance it will raise the profile of the issue due to it being recorded.

Finally Ms Martin said: “I would also say in terms of getting over that I think the most important thing is talking about it.

“I turned to social media as a way of feeling like I had agency and power over it.

“There is a support system to talk to. Anyone can talk to me.”