Step up. speak up.
If you see sexual violence, speak up.
Sexual violence includes rape or sexual assault, unwanted sexual contact/touching, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, showing one’s genitals or naked body to other(s) without consent, masturbating in public and watching someone in a private act without their knowledge or permission.
There are ways you can help safely.
Call out unacceptable behaviour or ask someone with authority to help manage the situation.
Step up. Speak up. Stop sexual violence.
Everyone has the right to enjoy Melbourne after dark.
Who is this campaign for?
The purpose of this campaign is to encourage bystanders, that is anyone who witnesses or knows someone who is being sexually harassed or assaulted, to step up and speak up to help stop sexual violence against women and gender diverse people at night.
Sexual offences are often under reported by victims due to fear of privacy breaches, not being taken seriously, being ‘outed’ or even not being believed*. Crime Stoppers Victoria is asking the community to speak up on behalf of victims who feel silenced or have lost their voice.
We believe that everyone has the right to enjoy the city after dark and are appealing to the public to ensure that Melbourne’s central city is a safe space for all.
What is sexual violence?
Sexual violence includes rape or sexual assault, unwanted sexual contact/touching, sexual harassment, sexual exploitation, showing one’s genitals or naked body to other(s) without consent, masturbating in public and watching someone in a private act without their knowledge or permission.
Unfortunately for Australian women, sexual violence is a serious problem. One in two women experience sexual harassment in their lifetime, and one in five women has experienced sexual violence from the age of 15**.
Gender diverse people can experience additional, unique forms of violence because of their gender identity and sexual orientation.
Crime Stoppers Victoria seeks to stop sexual violence against women and those within the gender diverse community through Project Night Justice.
Ways you can help.
Contact police on Triple Zero (000) and report the incident.
Share what you know with Crime Stoppers anonymously on 1800 333 000 or online here.
- If it’s safe, try to interrupt the situation by distracting those participating in the harassment or moving between the harasser and the person being targeted.
- If you are in a restaurant, bar, nightclub or at an event, ask security, bar staff or management to help intervene.
- Approach the victim and ask them if they are OK or if they need any assistance.
pROJECT NIGHT JUSTICE
Project Night Justice is a two-year partnership between the City of Melbourne, Victoria Police, Crime Stoppers Victoria, Full Stop Australia and the University of Melbourne.
It seeks to improve safety for women and gender diverse people in the city at night through awareness, training and encouraging reporting of sexual harassment and assault.
We believe that sexual violence, in all its forms, is unacceptable. We call on businesses, organisations, and services operating in Melbourne at night to sign Melbourne’s Night Safety Charter and be part of an urgent and necessary cultural change.
Those that sign up to the charter will be provided access to a toolkit which includes many practical tips for change that can be implemented straight away, and resources and training to support long term cultural change.
Sign on to the charter here
ways to report
Contact Victoria Police if the situation is urgent and requires immediate police attendance.
RESOURCES
Download a copy of our resources:
References:
*Australian Bureau of Statistics. (August 2021). Sexual Violence – Victimisation. Retrieved from: https://www.abs.gov.au/articles/sexual-violence-victimisation
** Our Watch. (2021). Quick Facts. Retrieved from: https://www.ourwatch.org.au/quick-facts/
