Young people in our Weaving Stories project identified the following as the most significant in their day to day lives:
💥 Sexist comments and catcalling: e.g. terms such as ‘slag’ and ‘slut’ aimed at girls and homophobic language aimed at boys and LGBTQIA+ young people
💥 Nonconsensual touching, inappropriate touching and groping
💥 The pressure to share private images and the negative consequences when shared without consent
How could we de-normalise these experiences?
Language bullying, gender discrimination, and sexual abuse often hide in those moments that are “uncomfortable but hard to explain.” They could be a joke, a glance, or playful behaviour that crosses the line, but these seemingly small actions can create pressure, anxiety, fear and harm.
This is why making steps to de-normalise seemingly small but nevertheless harmful behaviours is so important:
💥 Only by recognizing that behaviours that make us uncomfortable are inappropriate and harmful rather than “normal” can we begin to make changes.
💥 Bystanders who laugh along at these behaviours are also indirect bullies; if no one speaks up, such frightening moments will continue, and who will be the next victim?
How might we create a world where these behaviours are NOT normal?
Young people in our project identified some of the things we can do to de-normalise peer sexual abuse:
💥 Challenge stigma and isolation
💥 Normalise calling out bad behaviour
💥 Become more aware of the impact of your own actions and those of others
If you would like our creative team to use the Weaving Stories animation to support your young people to recognise the harmful impact of behaviour they may see as normal and consider what helpful actions they can take, get in touch – info@changingrelations.co.uk
Image credit: Tom Kindley and Savannah Peng.
