Awareness Key To Change
For so many people to be able to make such an impact with literally the touch of a button is a great thing, something the youngest generation may take for granted, but what most of us understand is a privilege. However, with great power comes great responsibility. There have been more and more cases of false allegations that have sprung up across the globe following the #metoo movement. This works negatively in two ways, firstly it casts a shadow on the credibility of the movement and secondly, it can be used for gain by the ‘victims’. There have been cases where women have used this movement to gain promotions, pay raises, use it to get out of speeding tickets, and even gone so far as to use it to settle neighbourhood disputes to their advantage. This only works to set back any efforts made in terms of progress for women everywhere.
It is hugely important for women to realize the power they wield and to work towards supporting movements like this because these are the causes that will affect change. There are so many legitimate cases of sexual harassment and abuse that could potentially be undermined by a few false allegations.
In fact, in an age of ‘rape culture’, it is imperative to create awareness and highlight attitudes towards not only women but also men. It is important for people of all ages and genders to understand the basics of equality and consent. This will help towards keeping everyone safe in the workplace, at places of recreation, at home or outside.
This loops us right back to why awareness is so important and how the only way to achieve this intrinsic change, in order to foster empowerment, is to get at the deep-rooted mindsets, attitudes and thinking.
Awareness of sexual harassment and abuse needs to become a much larger topic that can put into play drivers of social change. There needs to be a clear call to action to support victims of sexual harassment and abuse. More decisive policies need to be put in place and support resources need to be made available and known which can help victims while weeding out questionable claims. First responders need to be taught how to deal with such complaints in an intelligent, empathetic and understanding manner, be it the police or HR managers or counsellors.
At the bottom of all of this, first and foremost awareness campaigns and efforts by various bodies and individuals need to work together to help raise awareness and highlight the huge body of work that can come undone on the basis of unethical claims for personal gain. This needs to be made a concentrated effort that will empower victims and offer them the option of a safe space and clearly outline consequence for perpetrators, as well as a method to weed out false allegations. The current need is a platform for all the stakeholders to put their head together to put into play methodology and process and speak as one voice for change.
