However, a Laois Offaly Senator says she's faced very little abuse in her time as a politician.
94% of TDs and senators say they have faced some form of threat or abuse.
It's one of the findings of a new survey to be launched this afternoon, which also heard 72% of political staff have faced some form of abuse.
The UCD study reports over half experienced abusive language, while 35% faced remarks about their physical appearance.
Offaly Senator and Junior Agriculture Minister Pippa Hackett says she's experienced little abuse in Laois and Offaly: