The Informer

31 Oct 2016

Creepy Clowns

Mental Health, National, News & Politics, Society & Culture

Tonight, we’re talking about creepy clowns, or ‘Clown Hysteria’, a fear-filled phenomenon of
people dressing up as creepy clowns in public. The trend started in the South Carolina and has since spread to Europe, the UK and Australia.

Threats on social media and alleged sightings have led to school closures and official warnings from law enforcement, along with more than a dozen arrests around the world including one in Victoria’s south-east.

A number of ‘clown purges’ and ‘clown hunts’ have also been organised via social media by people eager to keep their streets Clown-free.

We’re speaking with clinical psychologists Kirsten Bouse and Grant Brecht, as well as Victorian Leading Senior Constable Gabby Tyacke.

A series of creepy clown sightings across the US in recent months has caused a wave of hysteria in several states, forcing police and schools to take steps to contain spreading panic, and even the White House to weigh in.

The craze began with reports of clowns trying to lure children into woods in South Carolina in August, and has since led to clown groups sprouting across the US and mass clown hunts in other areas.

Social media has fuelled the craze, with clown pranks now appearing in NSW, Queensland and Victoria.

Victorian police confirming at more than 18 reports of creepy or threatening clowns had been made as of October 13^th.

Podcast: Play in new window | Download (Duration: 28:32 — 65.3MB)

Subscribe or Follow Us: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Amazon Music | Android | iHeartRadio | Podchaser | Email | Deezer | RSS

10 Dec 2021

Aus passes Magnitsky laws, activists call for Chechen leaders to be targeted | Critics of proposed ‘cyber-bulling’ law say it will only make defamation lawsuits easier | Religious Discrimination Bill won’t protect those who face discrimination says gay Christian man | The Informer – 9 Dec 2021

Business

– Federal Parliament has passed Australia’s own version of Magnitsky Laws, which allows for targeted sanctions against individuals responsible for ...

3 Dec 2021

World AIDS Day | Dennis Altman on Aus Afghan refugee refusal | The Informer – 2 Dec 2021

Business

– World AIDS Day is 1 Dec so we look back at two stories from this season. One looks at ...

25 Nov 2021

Religious Discrimination Bill legalises discrimination opponents say | MQFF rebuffs calls to cut film funded by Israeli gov | The Informer – 25 Nov 2021

Business

– The federal government has tabled its long-awaited Religious Discrimination Bill. The legislation would weaken some existing protections for LGBTQIA+ ...