Jay-Leighsa Victoria Bauman sentenced to community service over online abuse
A human rights activist has lamented that shining a light on the sentencing of a Queensland woman whose racially charged vitriol landed her in court has been a double edged-sword.
Prominent Muslim Australian Mariam Veiszadeh - the victim of the online attack - says on the one hand, it shows those with similar views that there are legal consequences for their actions.
Lawyer Mariam Veiszadeh
But Ms Veiszadeh, who frequently weathers attacks on social media, says it has the unfortunate side-effect of fuelling further waves of abuse.
Ipswich woman Jay-Leighsa Victoria Bauman, 23, has been sentenced to 180 hours of community service after pleading guilty to charges arising from her abuse of Ms Veiszadeh on Facebook.
The outburst was sparked after Ms Veiszadeh complained about the sale of a singlet featuring an Australian flag and the slogan "Love it or leave".
Ms Veiszadeh said she was relieved the matter was over.
"The entire ordeal has been a very harrowing experience," she said.
"Bauman's actions subsequently triggered a barrage of social media abuse, far worse than the initial social media abuse."
Bauman again took to Facebook after being charged to declare she was "not scared of a bit of judgment" and wouldn't stay silent.
Ms Veiszadeh believes those taunts illustrate a lack of remorse.
"I am not a vindictive person and I recognise that she is young and ignorant," she said.
"It's important that she and those who hail her as a hero understand that they must respect Australian laws and that they cannot escape responsibility simply because their abusive and threatening behaviour is conducted over social media."
Ms Veiszadeh said authorities were in unchartered waters when it came to punishing abusers, but needed to work with social media organisations towards better safeguards.
"I am forced to regulate my social media engagement to protect myself but I will never give into their demands to get off Twitter," she said.