A cancer here, so thought I'd throw my 2 cents in as refs are taking a hammering.

Refs don't care eh? Well I've sat in changing rooms after games, not looking team mates in the eye, but myself after dropping a clanger. Believe me, it hurts as much as it does the players. I've apologised to coaches and players, but they don't give a toss or appreciate the apologies so it's no worth the effort or risk of further confrontation. How often do players and coaches genuinely appreciate the refs? It'll be a brief handshake and an empty "thanks ref"

Killing all levels of the game? Well if people like me didn't get out reffing, turning down better paid overtime at work, or sacrificing time with family, there would be NO community game, no NCL etc. Match officials are subject to intense scrutiny, but just because it's not done in public, doesn't mean it doesn't happen or that there is no consequences.
I've sat in the south stand and argued about decisions with many a fan, and unfortunately, several don't understand the laws and interpretations, and blatantly don't want to. They just want a scapegoat and some one to abuse for the sheer hell of it.

Attracting and retaining refs is one of the biggest problems in the game and reading stuff here it is no surprise. You imagine, going to a game, alone, no support, and being exposed to this hatred. Would you want to, or be able to improve? No. The toxicity means next week, there's isn't enough refs. So guys take on 2/3/4 games in a weekend. They get tired, they make mistakes. And a vicious circle continues. Or games get cancelled.

But at the end of the day, we're just a cancer so no need to treat us with any respect.