Following the events in Christchurch last week, a lot of us realised how important it is to call out racism and harassment in our communities. Yet many of us feel uneasy about stepping in and stopping a situation. We may be afraid of making a scene, of being hurt, or of being embarrassed. So how do we know when we need to step in and make a difference—and how do we do it?
It’s one thing to call out a random member of the public for abusing at a stranger, and another to tell a family member they’re out of line. Alternatively if you are the person who is being harassed or bullied for your sex, gender, religion, ability or any other factor, it takes a huge amount of courage to even ask for help—especially when the people around you seem to ignore how you are being wronged.
So what can we do to create a safer and fairer world for the people around us? We’ve chosen five infographics that explore the nature of harassment and racism in public, in the workplace and at school.
Which one best relates to your life? Perhaps you can follow the steps given to support a person being publicly abused for their religion. If you are in the workplace and are in a position of authority, you can ensure best practice is followed so everyone feels heard and supported by reporting bullying. And if you are experiencing this harassment, we hope these infographics give you the tools to ask for help and find people who will advocate for you.
If you’d like more information, just click on the title above the graphic and you will be taken to the external website that published them.
If needed print out these infographics or save them on your phone, and next time you see something that doesn’t feel quite right, take one out and follow the steps to safely and fairly stand up for the people around you. After all, we’re all in this together.
If you are ever in crisis, or are concerned for your safety or the welfare of the people around you, call the police immediately on 000 (Aus) or 911 (USA).
Stand up to Street Harassment by Hollaback
What to do if you are witnessing Islamaphobic harassment by Maeril and The Middle Eastern Feminist
Workplace bullying and violence by SafeWork Australia
How to manage and prevent bullying in the classroom and online by School of Education, American University
Guide to workplace sexual harassment by i-Sight
Do you feel unsettled and traumatised by what you’ve seen on the news? Would you like to learn strategies to stand up for yourself or ask for help? Here’s what you need to do: Contact Colleen on 0434 337 245 or Duncan on 0434 331 243 for a FREE 10 minute consultation on how we can best help you or book online.
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