While sparking controversy from some members of the international community, President of the Griffith Women in Business Group and Owner/Director of Straight Lines Design and Marketing Belinda Johns sees the positive effects that could come from the #MeToo movement.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The #MeToo movement started in about October, 2017 using a hashtag on social media by victims of sexual assault and harassment.
It’s a movement to name and shame those responsible but to also give girls a voice, to encourage them to break their silence in order to stop this behaviour.
Ms Johns sees the movement as a way to give a voice to people who were too scared to come out before.
“It’s helping them be brave enough to voice injustices so other people won’t need to go through the same situations,” Ms Johns said.
“You wish a campaign like this didn’t need to happen, but I hope the movement continues and doesn’t peter out like social media campaigns have the tendency of doing.”
While not having been in a situation of sexual harassment before, the movement generated conversation with other women she’s close to, who all see the benefits.
“The conversation we’ve had between friends here is that it has the potential to enforce real change, and that is a positive thing,” Ms Johns said.
“I guess not having been in that situation, I would just encourage everyone to seek help where you can talk to someone, find that safe place. Seeing women connecting and empowering each other is powerful.”
With the Minister for Education reportedly urging principals to tackle the issue of sexual harassment "openly, frankly and objectively,” backing the discussion of the #MeToo movement in classrooms, Ms Johns said education can never be a bad thing.
“I think education about what is and is not acceptable behavior in schools will always be positive thing, we all evolve with education and the more people are clear on what is right and wrong can only help.”
If you would like to comment on the #MeToo campaign, send your submission to jacinta.dickins@fairfaxmedia.com.au.
RELATED: