In this episode of On Side, we centre the human experience of online abuse. Olympic sport climber, Campbell Harrison OLY, reflects on the overwhelming wave of global homophobic abuse he received after a single social media post, while Rowing Australia CEO, Sarah Cook OLY, shares the realities of navigating sustained harassment and scrutiny in sport leadership.

In a world where athletes and leaders are constantly visible and accessible, online harm is becoming harder to avoid, and its effects go far beyond the screen.

Sarah and Campbell unpack:

• How quickly online attention can escalate into harm
• The emotional and psychological toll of abuse
• Where criticism crosses the line into harassment
• The compounding impacts of gender and identity
• What meaningful support from communities, organisations and systems really looks like.

This is an honest, powerful discussion about resilience, visibility and the collective role we play in shaping safer online environments in sport.

If you or someone you know is experiencing online harm, support is available. Reaching out can be an important first step.

Explore the eSafety Commissioner’s Safe Sport Hub for online safety advice and resources to help make sure everyone in sport has more positive experiences online: Sports hub | eSafety Commissioner

Report to the eSafety Commissioner: Report forms | eSafety Commissioner

For more information on Sport Integrity Australia, visit out website: https://www.sportintegrity.gov.au/