The Respect Women: Call it Out campaign coincides with the United Nations 16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence, from 25 November until 10 December this year.
Safety and Respect are at the forefront of CFA’s minds as we move into this campaign, in all the work we carry out, but also when we go home. The focus of this campaign surrounds what constitutes sexual harassment, and how to call it out to become an active bystander.
“This huge focus on bystander intervention, on creating a culture change, is to ensure family violence and violence against women is not normalised,” A/Executive Director People, Culture & Safety Garry Cook said.
“This goes for within our homes, in our workplaces and in our communities.”
The Respect Victoria campaign spells out that there’s a big difference between eye-contact and leering, and ‘sexual harassment’ is in any form of unwelcome sexual behaviour that can be offensive humiliating or intimidating.
As a bystander, we can actively assist in preventing sexual harassment. Learning to recognise the signs when someone is in danger and stepping in where possible to help prevent the situation from escalating is important.
CFA is hosting Active Bystander Training on 10 December, which is a half-day course designed to equip people with the skills and confidence to identify and respond to instances of gender inequality.
The tools that are shared in this training can be used to challenge any form of discrimination, harassment, or bullying. They are designed to reinforce healthy, respectful behaviours, and to focus on what people in the workplace and communities can do to make a difference.
