Are ‘Anonymous’ Hackers Turning Their Attention to Rape Culture?

A group better known for hacking PayPal, the Church of Scientology, and the Brazilian government has twice set its sights on high school rape cases.

By Von Diaz Oct 15, 2013

The hacker collective that exposed a high school rape cover-up in Steubenville, Ohio has set its sights on a similar case in Maryville, Mo. Last year, 14-year-old Daisy Coleman says she was invited over by a football player from her high school who gave her alcohol and raped her, then drove her home and left her on her front porch. Her parents attempted to press charges, but the charges were dropped, after which the entire family was publicly shamed, had their house burned down, and were driven out of town.

On Monday hackers from the group known as "Anonymous" released a video statement detailing elements of the case, demanding an investigation, and threatening local Mayor Jim Fall with action. They also launched a social media campaign via Twitter using the hashtags #Justice4Daisy and #OpMaryville. Earlier this year, hackers who identify with the group were responsible for exposing the rape of a 16-year-old girl in Steubenville, Ohio by hacking the accused rapists’ social media accounts. 

"Anonymous" member Deric Lostutter told Mother Jones that he felt compelled to expose the Steubenville case because he was, "always raised to stick up for people who are getting bullied." The group is perhaps better known for targeting Brazilian banks, the Church of Scientology, and PayPal with Operation Payback. But these two recent actions seems to signal a particular interest in directly addressing rape culture in the U.S.