Gender Equity Victoria Launches Second Online Bystander Video

Gender Equity Victoria (GEN VIC), The Guardian, RMIT University, Domestic Violence Victoria, and Women’s Health Victoria, and Vic Health are excited to launch the second Active Online Bystander video – this time, aimed specifically at young men.

In a world first project funded by the Victorian Government’s Office for Women, GEN VIC’s “Your Voice Matters” video was developed with input from the prevention sector, academics and citizen experts which explain how young men can take action whenever they see online harassment and in whatever form it takes.

The video features online gaming scenarios where young men can take action to address online gender based violence, and shows the impact of being an active bystander. The video follows from GEN VIC’s “Together we’re stronger” video and toolkit released in March this year, all aimed at equipping people with the tools to stand up and step in when we see someone participating in or encouraging discrimination and abuse online.

“Online violence towards women is a serious issue that is often ignored or seen as an unavoidable part of the social media. We know that through taking bystander action on social media and in discussion forums that we can address online gender based harassment and abuse just as we would address it in person.”

“For men, we know that there are different barriers to being an active bystander than women, particularly online. They can feel that it’s not their place, or that they will be ridiculed by their peers. We need targeted strategies to engage young men.”

“Through everyone taking action, we can make the internet safer for women.”

The video premiered at Vic Health and Respect Victoria’s ‘Promoting Bystander Action – Emerging evidence on preventing sexism and sexual harassment’ Forum and aims to be incorporated into existing respectful education and bystander curriculum.