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2009 has been a busy year with the development and delivery of a number of new PSA training services. These include the:
Each of these workshops have been designed to meet client needs and are proving to be popular.
In conjunction with our not-for-profit sister organisation, Children’s Safety Australia Inc., we have been making steady progress on our interactive children’s safety book, which we hope to release in 2010.
Please contact us for further information about any of our services or the children’s safety book.
White Ribbon Day, held on 25 November, marked the beginning of a national campaign to encourage all Australian men and boys to take a positive action and put an end to one of the most widespread human rights abuses taking place in our country. White Ribbon’s ‘My Oath’ Campaign challenges men to swear never to commit, never to excuse, and never to remain silent about violence against women.
The campaign is setting White Ribbon Day up to be National Swearing Day, and already has the support of high profile men including Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, Lt Gen Ken Gillespie, Hazem El Masri, Rove, Keith Urban, Wil Anderson, David Koch, Adam Goodes, Shannon Noll, Jason Culina, Dicko, and the list goes on.
One in three Australian women will be a victim of physical or sexual violence in her lifetime. Every single one of us knows a woman who has suffered its effects, whether we know it or not. These women are our mothers, daughters, our wives, our girlfriends, colleagues and friends.
The White Ribbon Day campaign encourages all members of the community, particularly men, to speak out about violence and challenge the attitudes that allow violence in our society. By supporting this campaign you are helping to ensure that Australia becomes a safer place for all women, and their children.
You can join the ranks of men supporting the campaign by swearing at www.myoath.com.au
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I swear:
- never to commit violence against women,
- never to excuse violence against women, and
- never to remain silent about violence against women.
This is my oath.
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As the mother of two young children it is ever-apparent to me the sexual imagery and messages children are bombarded with via billboards, television, magazines, the internet, music video clips and even clothing stocked by a number of major retailers. It will come as no surprise to many that the sexualisation of children in the media and marketing is on the increase.
This increase has been met with a growing number of concerned parents harbouring fears of the resultant impact on children. And not without good reason...recent international and Australian studies have highlighted the significant negative impact on children's physical and psychological health. The sexualisation of children is either direct, such as portraying children in a sexual way, primarily in advertising. Or indirect, where children are exposed to advertising intended for an adult audience. Either way, children are receiving message that their value comes from their sexual appearance or behaviour, to the exclusion of other characteristics.
An Australian not-for-profit organisation, Kids Free 2B Kids (KF2BK), is taking a stand against the sexualisation of children and is lobbying to address this issue by promoting public awareness and education, petitioning companies and providing a conduit for complaints to regulators. KF2BK founder, Melbourne mother of two, Julie Gale has been promoting public awareness of children’s sexualisation at a series of ‘Generation Next’ Workshops held throughout Australia. There is no questioning Julie’s commitment to the cause - she dressed as an adult-sized Bratz doll to make her point at a recent Brisbane workshop! Under Julie’s leadership, KF2BK has already started to make headway, with clothing retailer Cotton On recently removing children’s clothing with inappropriate slogans from sale.
KF2BK encourages all parents and concerned community members to take the initiative and decide what sorts of images we want our children to see. All adults can take grassroots action by:
- Asking your local video store manager to move the ‘adult only' section away from the children's, family and comedy sections. Surprisingly, this is not an uncommon arrangement.
- Asking your supermarket to stop displaying sexualised magazines such as Ralph, Zoo and FHM where children are easily exposed.
- Asking your newsagent to stop displaying advertising for these magazines in their windows.
- Taking a moment to become familiar with the Advertising Standards Bureau website and using it to make complaints. Billboards are not screened before going into the public arena - a complaint must be registered before the Board will take action.
- Contacting television stations if you are unhappy with advertising or content screened at times children are likely to be viewing. Remember it is up to you what you let into your home.
- Approaching store managers to complain about sexualised merchandise that is either aimed at children or displayed where children are likely to view it.
- Telling your friends if there are certain toys or dolls that you don't want your children to receive as presents. Many parents are starting to say no to Bratz dolls, no to makeup parties for young girls and no to logo T-shirts such as ‘I'm too sexy for my t-shirt'.
- Talking to dance schools if you are concerned that your children's dance class routines are emulating the sexualised moves of music video clips.
- Registering your support on the KF2BK website. Registering means that you can add your voice to the debate. The advertising industry purports to represent community values - by building our numbers we intend to demonstrate exactly what those values really are.
- Making a donation to KF2BK. Donations over $2 are tax deductible.
The message to address the sexualisation of children is simple, ‘We need to speak out! We are not powerless to make change! For further information, visit the KF2BK website.
Something wonderful is happening to Australian radio waves… Audiences are being exposed to a string of local female artists sending powerful messages of safety and empowerment to young people all over the world. Kate Miller-Heidke, Paulini, Vanessa Amorosi, Orianthi and Jessica Mauboy are leading the charge, in an industry too often consumed with messages of violence and the objectification of women.
Kate Miller-Heidke’s ‘Caught in the Crowd’ describes the regrets of a bystander of bullying who failed to support her friend at his time of need. As many bullying experts argue, the role of the bystander is crucial to combating the bullying epidemic. This song will undoubtedly encourage young people to examine their own bystander behaviour more closely and will hopefully result in greater support for children and young people being bullied.
Paulini’s ‘Scarless’ is arguably the most courageous inclusion in this list, as the lyrics are based on her personal experience of abuse at the hands of her high profile NRL player ex-boyfriend. The song sends a powerful message about not tolerating an abusive partner. Lyrics include, ‘What doesn’t kill me makes me stronger. Losing you means I live longer’.
Paulini wrote the song to help other victims of domestic violence. The single was released to coincide with White Ribbon Day on November 25, an international day to eliminate violence against women. ’I know I am not the only person who has gone through it’ said Paulini. ‘It actually happens to one in three women. If I can help other women out there, whoever are experiencing violence, I have succeeded.’
Vanessa Amorosi’s ‘This is Who I Am’ is the ultimate self-acceptance anthem. Lyrics include: ‘Well it's alright to be myself, now I've learned to stand. Well its okay to be just who I am. I've spent years really hating me, longing to be friends. Now I hope that you can understand… This is who I am’.
Orianthi’s ‘According to You’ describes the differences in how two men perceive her. According to the first, she’s ‘useless, stupid and can’t do anything right’. According to the second, she’s ‘beautiful, incredibly, funny, irresistible’… This song sends a powerful message to recognise and not to put up with emotional abuse in relationships. It also encourages listeners to remember that if they are in an abusive relationship that there are “other fish in the sea” who will value them and appreciate their personal qualities.
Finally Jessica Mauboy's 'Let Me Be Me' sends a strong message of independence and knowing when to move on from a relationship.
Teachers, parents, professionals and volunteers working with young people have a great opportunity to listen to, and discuss, these songs with young people to ensure the messages are received loud and clear. Congratulations to Kate, Paulini, Orianthi and Vanessa for bringing us these positive, powerful messages!!
Paulini Curuenavuli
A delegation from the Association of Women Educators (AWE) recently returned from a study tour of Timor-Leste to identify how the AWE could support education, especially the education of the most vulnerable women and girls. One strategy the group is currently implementing is the collection of basic personal hygiene items for children and their families. It is not uncommon for a family to share a single toothbrush and have little access to other items essential for maintaining good health.
AWE is calling upon Australians to support this campaign by donating personal hygiene products including: toothbrushes, toothpaste, soap, shampoo, brushes and combs. Individuals may wish to fill a shoebox. Organisations may be able to fill a larger box.
Rotary District 9800 has very generously agreed to transport donations to Timor-Leste as part of its ongoing support for the country and it’s people.
Donations can be sent to:
Toothbrushes for Timor
PO Box 702
Everton Park QLD 4053.
Please include your name and address as AWE would like to thank you. Donations must be sent by 31 January 2010. (Please do not send money). For further information, visit the Association of Women Educators website.
PSA has recently started a Twitter account to keep you informed of our news in between enewsletters. Look out for our updates on Twitter. |
