- Published:
- Sunday 7 April 2019
The Andrews Labor Government is encouraging commuters to call out sexual harassment with a new campaign starting today.
Minister for Prevention of Family Violence Gabrielle Williams today launched the next round of the Respect Women: Call it Out series. The new advertisements will run across TV, print media, social media and in metropolitan city loop stations.
The advertisements feature a woman on a train, being leered at by a man. Other commuters show their discomfort towards the man’s behaviour, before a bystander takes a step to interrupt and call out the behaviour.
Respect Women: Call it Out provides the community with the tools necessary to call out disrespectful and sexist behaviour. To some, these behaviours seem harmless or none of their business, but research shows they are some of the most well-known drivers of violence against women.
An estimated 5.2 million Victorians have already seen Respect Women: Call It Out. Evidence shows that those who have seen the campaign have more positive attitudes towards gender equality and the importance of respect.
The Labor Government commissioned Australia’s first ever Royal Commission into Family Violence and is implementing each and every one of its 227 recommendations – backed with an investment of more than $2.7 billion to keep women and children safe.
The new campaign airs from tonight. For more information visit respectvictoria.vic.gov.au
Quotes attributable to Minister for Prevention of Family Violence Gabrielle Williams
“This campaign is about highlighting what too many women experience just going about their day-to-day lives and how bystanders can do their bit to stop sexual harassment.”
“Whether it’s on a train, on the street, in a bar or in the workplace – too many women are subjected to sexual harassment. It’s not on and it’s not okay.”
“Safety in public spaces is everyone’s responsibility. When sexual harassment rears its ugly head, it’s up to all of us to call it out, because even the smallest acts of intervention can stop sexual harassment in its tracks.”
Quote attributable to Chief Executive Officer of Respect Victoria Tracey Gaudry
“Changing the norms and structures that drive family violence and violence against women is a huge challenge - one that Victoria is heavily invested in and is now the privilege and responsibility of Respect Victoria to lead”.