A sex worker who attended the Melbourne Cup has come forward with a shocking account of online abuse, sparking outrage among many who are standing in solidarity with the victim of 'sl*t-shaming'.
The scandal emerged after the anonymous woman took to social media to voice her disgust at the torrent of vile and misogynistic messages she received from strangers, simply because she dared to post a photo of herself enjoying the prestigious event wearing a low-cut dress.
As news of the abuse spread like wildfire, the internet quickly sprang into action, with many condemning the abuse and calling for greater action to be taken against such trolls.
One of the main arguments raised by supporters is that no one, regardless of their profession, should ever be subjected to this kind of abuse, particularly in this day and age where we like to think we've made great strides in fighting sexism and promoting equality for all.
'This woman, like anyone else, has every right to attend events, post photos online and live her life without fear of reprisal,' said a supporter on social media. 'We need to create a world where everyone feels safe from bullies and judgmental trolls.'
The victim's courage in sharing her story is seen by many as a step in the right direction towards combating the scourge of online abuse. 'Kudos to this brave woman for speaking out against this kind of hate. Together, we can make a difference.'