Irish influencer recalls horror restaurant attack on tonight's Prime Time
The influencer was attacked in a Dublin restaurant two years ago by a man who had been repeatedly contacting her online.
"I just felt this blow to the back of my head, my head basically went so full force forward into my glass that the glass completely shattered," she said.
"I looked to my left and I could see him standing there. Straight away, I knew who it was.
"He had been messaging me in the past online."
In November 2023, Craig O'Brien (28) of Thomond Road, Ballyfermot, Dublin 10, was sentenced to two years and three months for assault causing harm, with the final nine months suspended.
Charleen recalls the horrific attack in tonight's Prime Time on RTE One where the show will be focussing on the impact on young Irish people of online influencers who promote a negative form of masculinity.
The programme will reveal research carried out over the last number of months by RTÉ journalists Kate McDonald and Jack McCarron, as well as current insights from teachers, experts, and individuals who have been personally affected.
Charleen said the experience is part of a larger pattern of online abuse she has encountered over years.
"When I came out with the story that time, people said, 'You're not a real victim.' They downplay your pain or trauma," Charleen said.
"You don't have to have something worse than someone else to still have gone through something bad."
The programme explores how online narratives are increasingly shaping young people's views on gender roles in society, something Charleen has also noticed.
"It's happening much younger," she says.
"People have these words and this information so young. Their brains are being shaped by it all. It's scary. I'm scared for the younger generation."
Charleen will also give a personal account of how online misogyny is not just digital and has a larger impact.
"People think it's just a comment. But kids are reading that. That's saying to them, 'It's okay for me to post this too.' All the little things turn into the big things."
Tune into Prime Time tonight May 22, at 9.35pm RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.
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