Chloe Kelly is among the high-profile sports stars supporting the Enough campaign urging people to call out abusive behaviour toward women and girls
A Lioness superstar has opened up about the threats she and her family receive on social media as she urged people to call out vile behaviour.
Chloe Kelly – who scored the winner in the Euro 2022 final – also said it is scary that online creeps choose to use AI to make deepfake images of women. The striker described her experiences as she backed the Government’s Enough campaign to tackle violence against women and girls.
The 28-year-old Arsenal star said she has experienced a spike in abuse after major tournaments. Speaking to Sky Sports host Bela Shah, she said: “I think after a major tournament, that’s probably a time where you’re reflecting, you’re like, wow, the spike in followers, but also the spike in abuse as well…
“Also DM’s, threatening DMs, and not just to me, to my husband as well and to my family.”
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Ms Kelly also said she was alarmed by deepfake images and fake social media profiles. She said: “A lot of accounts pretending to be yourself, and teammates as well, I think is scary.
“I think AI is incredible for so many things. But then there’s also a negative side where people can pretend to be yourself and make fake pictures. And I think it’s disappointing to see that there’s so much great technology, but we’re using it in a negative way.”
She also spoke out about sharing of intimate images on WhatsApp groups, and said people who are uncomfortable with their friends’ behaviour should speak up.
“Someone I know had their iCloud hacked and images being sent around to many WhatsApp groups and social media outlets,” she said. “And I think it’s just so disappointing. We need to take a stand on it. This is not what we accept.”
The Lioness went on: “I would say don’t be afraid to call it out. You calling that out as a man or a boy is a big step in the right direction, and it only takes one person to make change.
“And together, if that’s one person and another person together, we can make change. So I think it’s really important that you take that step.
“It might take a lot for you to do that, but taking that step means so much to us as women.”
That message was reinforced by Newcastle defender Dan Burn, who has also backed the campaign. He said: “I feel people are more comfortable now in calling people out.”
The awareness drive is designed to raise awareness of abusive behaviour. The Home Office said it is vital to get people to recognise, question and change their behaviour.
Safeguarding and Violence against Women and Girls minister Jess Phillips said: “This government is on a mission to halve violence against women and girls in a decade. To succeed, we must drive change in every arena of our society, including sport.
“That’s why, through the Enough campaign, we are working with some of the biggest names in sport to change the conversation in homes, schools, and communities across the country. To end the cycle of violence that’s become normal in the lives of so many.
“But we will not stop there. We will deploy the full power of the state to make this country safe for women and girls.”