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.

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