Our Watch

"This data shows that... your approach to ensuring that your workplace is safe and that sexual harassment is taken seriously, is a really important, powerful message to be sending to your current team and to prospective new people coming into your team as well." Acting Our Watch CEO Cara Gleeson spoke to Women's Agenda about our latest workplace data.

"Employers have a requirement to make their workplaces safe and equal and in doing so they will also attract and retain good staff, especially women," Cara Gleeson, Acting CEO, Our Watch. Our latest survey found that 83% of female and 67% male employees agreed that they would consider leaving a job that didn't treat workplace sexual harassment as a serious issue. https://lnkd.in/gEUwS6Kf 

Many Australians are heading back to work this week, but our new data shows that sexual harassment is a key issue for businesses in attracting and retaining staff. Read more about our survey on our website: https://bit.ly/42ANcHk [Alt: 1. Navy text on a green background: We surveyed 1500 Australians about workplace sexual harassment. This is what we found out. Arrow pointing to next tile. 2. Navy text on a cream background: 75% of people would consider leaving a job where workplace sexual harassment was not treated as a serious issue. Illustration of four figures, three in green and one in navy. Arrow pointing to next tile. 3. Green and cream text on a navy background: 83% of female employees would consider leaving a job that didn’t treat workplace sexual harassment as a serious issue. 67% of male employees agreed. A cream illustration of a male and female figure. Arrow pointing to next tile. 4. Navy text on a green background: Gender equality is a key issue for attracting female employees. 75% of women agreed that if they were looking for a new job, the workplace’s approach to gender equality would be an important consideration.]

Students across the country are going back to school this week. That means we have an opportunity to teach young people what gender-based violence looks like and how it can be prevented. Respectful relationships education is an important part of creating generational change and building a future free from violence. Find resources and tools for schools on our website: https://bit.ly/3XaMsnP [Alt: A photo of two secondary school students, sitting outside and laughing. Text over the top reads: Let's build a safer and more respectful future for everyone.]

Men can play their part in ending violence against women by challenging the attitudes and beliefs that lead to violence. That can look like ✅Calling out sexist "jokes" ✅Challenging gender stereotypes ✅Role modelling respect Together, we can build a future free from violence. [Alt: Navy text on a cream background: 4 in 5 men want to change the rates of violence against women. Underneath, an illustration of five figures, four in green and one in navy. More text below reads: But 43% believe they personally can’t do anything to change this. Source: Our Watch 2024]

Transgender and gender diverse people are entitled to fair media reporting and representation on stories that include or affect them. Find more tips and guidelines for journalists on our website https://bit.ly/3XQvZqX [Alt: 1. Navy text on a cream background: 3 tips for reporting on trans and gender diverse communities. In the background, a green illustration of a rainbow. 2. Tip 1: Treat trans and gender diverse victim-survivors with dignity and respect, as you would any other victim of crime. 3. Tip 2: Incorporate trans and gender diverse people into your source base to consult on a range of stories. 4. Tip 3: Ensure your language is respectful and your framing keeps the perpetrator in view, to acknowledge violence is always a choice.]

Our Watch stands in solidarity with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, families and organisations Read our full statement on our website: https://bit.ly/3PKuXYa [Alt: 1. A red tile with cream accents and a cream illustration of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flags. Text reads: We stand in solidarity with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, families and organisations. We recognise the continuing colonialism that devastates communities and drives violence against women and their children. 2. Today and every day, we all must demonstrate our commitment to allyship by taking action to prevent violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and their children. That includes... 3. Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and communities to heal from the impacts of intergenerational trauma, and strengthen culture and identity. Challenging and preventing all forms of racism, indifference, ignorance and disrespect towards Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and cultures. 4. Addressing racialised power inequalities and amending discriminatory policies and practices. Supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women’s participation in leadership and decision-making. Implementing intersectional approaches to preventing violence against women across the Australian population. 5. By committing to action every day, across all levels of society, we can work towards an equal, safe future for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women, children, families and communities.]

This Day My Way. 💙❤️💛🖤💚 In January 2024, NACCHO youth developed and led a mental health and wellbeing initiative #ThisDayMyWay to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, and particularly to engage youth, in the lead up to January 26 and following the result of the referendum process in October 2023.  Due to the success of the #ThisDayMyWay campaign, it will run each year around January 26 – and we encourage everyone to get involved! 📣     #ThisDayMyWay is an opportunity to take ownership over a day that can bring up complex emotions for a lot of us. It’s an opportunity to spark important and healthy conversations between mob that help us look after ourselves and each other around January 26.  How to get involved:   1) Film and post a video with #ThisDayMyWay Effect on TikTok!  The #ThisDayMyWay Effect encourages mob to have open conversations online, sharing advice on how to look after yourself and mob around this time.  How to use:   - Follow this link: https://lnkd.in/g_hpGn6t    - You can also find the effect on our TikTok profile: https://lnkd.in/g3jAvKf7 (or by scanning the QR code below).   - Have the camera on selfie mode and start recording! 🤳🎥 2) Share mental health resources. Save and re-share the support line social media tiles below. 3) Give love to videos from Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisations (repost, comment, like) you see surrounding the campaign – Let’s spread the message far and wide! 🫶 For more information and social and emotional wellbeing resources, visit:  https://lnkd.in/gb86-Gpt    #ThisDayMyWay #OurHealthInOurHands #ConnectionStrengthResilience #MentalHealth #Support #AboriginalHealth #NACCHO

What can you expect from a training session with the Our Watch Institute? Our founding partners at Goodman shared their experiences. Ready to take the next step? Reach out to book in a training session for your team today: https://lnkd.in/gijTh_8A [Video description: Leaders at Goodman speak directly to the camera, with short clips of training sessions featuring them listening to presentation and having discussions.]

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women deserve respectful, accurate and fair media coverage. Read our full guidelines for reporting on violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women on our website: https://bit.ly/4aseTnz [Alt: 1. A photo of an Indigenous woman looking at the camera. To the left, navy text in a cream-coloured square: 3 tips for media reporting on violence against Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women. 2. Navy text on a cream background. Tip 1: Highlight the impacts of colonisation. This impacts of colonisation are varied and are still occur today. They include racism, intergenerational trauma, forced child removal, structural inequality and entrenched poverty. Explain how these intersect with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women’s experiences of violence. 3. Tip 2: Observe cultural protocols. Seek advice from community members regarding the cultural protocols of naming or using the image of a deceased person in their particular Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander community. Continually upskill your cultural competency. 4. Tip 3: Consider your sources. Always use Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander women and experts as your primary sources. Understand that no ‘one voice’ speaks on behalf of the whole Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community, and that this consists of many diverse communities.]