So You've Been Publicly Shamed, Now What?
The good news is, you’re not alone.
Online public shaming has become increasingly popular over the years, in part due to the advances of technology, and in part as a response to societal and behavioural norms.
Chances are, you’re reading this because you too have been a victim of public shaming.
You are probably experiencing a lot of different emotions, including anger, sadness and humiliation. All of which are valid, and all of which are normal responses to shaming.
So what comes next?
Before we go any further, let’s start by defining what exactly public shaming is:
“Public humiliation or public shaming is a form of punishment whose main feature is dishonouring or disgracing a person.”
How to Respond
The short answer is: Don’t!
At least not right away.
Hire a professional who can help you to better understand the true impact of the shaming, and assess its reputational and financial damages. A professional will also be able to help you prepare a response strategy and most appropriate plan of attack. Sometimes the best response is not the most obvious, so it’s important to consider the data (a communications and public relations team have sophisticated software that can collect this for you, and compare it to other relevant case studies and trends).
Of course, our team is here to assist you in your crisis response plan. However, if we’re not the right fit for you, we’d be happy to recommend you to another firm who may better suit your needs.
What Can I Do?
It is often difficult to remain silent as things are being said about you, or your business, that may be incorrect, or only partially true.
The most important thing you can do in the interim is to document the communications you receive, and share them with your communications strategist when formulating your response plan.
Members of the media may also reach out to you for comment - do not respond, instead document the communications and make note of any important deadlines and print dates.
Trust us, you’ll likely only escalate the problem and make it worse by responding immediately. Most often, our first inclination is an emotionally driven, knee-jerk response.
Remain as calm as possible, document what’s happening, and contact a professional.
How To Contact Us
Our crisis response team is available 24/7 7 days/week. You can reach out to us using this online contact form.
When contacting us, please do not include specific details of your case, as we will not be able to legally respond to those details until you are a client.
Alternatively, you can book a virtual consultation online.
In The Meantime
In the meantime, it’s important to stay in touch with the people closest to you, and form a support system with those you know and trust. You do not need to discuss your situation, but it is important not to alienate yourself due to feelings of guilt or shame.
Remember, you’re not in this alone.
