Erin O’Hara

NAME: Erin O’Hara
CENSORSHIP: Shadow, account & content Ban

What reason was given for your ban?

Sexual solicitation or nudity – always while clothed.

Why do you think your post(s) was censored?

Because men who photograph women’s bodies  are “artists,” but women who model for photographs are “whores.”

Were you able to appeal and what was the response?

My former account was deleted. My current account is on the brink of deletion. The irony is my explore page provides “Instagram suggested posts” of MY PHOTO that got deleted on other pages/accounts.

What effect has your experience of censorship had on you?

I’ve lost money, I’ve lost jobs, I’ve lost connections and networks, conversations and contacts.

What’s one thing you want people to know about this topic?

I wake up every day and see my image, my body used as a tool by men – and the message Facebook and Instagram make to me is clear: Men have more ownership over my own body than I do.