Award-Winning (Hashtag)WhoWillYouHelp Campaign Continues to Raise Awareness and Challenge Norms
Press Release
Province Marking International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women
November 25, 2016 12:30 P.M.
Ontario’s multi-media public education campaign to prevent sexual violence and harassment continues to raise awareness and receive recognition.
The #WhoWillYouHelp campaign recently won four new awards from Strategy Magazine, which noted the ad’s ability to, “maximize awareness and inspire conversation.” This includes their inaugural Grand Prix award.
#WhoWillYouHelp has been viewed over 85 million times worldwide and adapted for use by multiple organizations and jurisdictions, including the provinces of Manitoba and Saskatchewan.
Since the launch of the campaign last year, research has shown that more people in Ontario feel they have an obligation to intervene if they witness sexual violence or harassment and that overall awareness of sexual violence has improved significantly, led by changes among 18 to 29 year olds.
Public education and awareness campaigns are part of It’s Never Okay – Ontario’s Action Plan to Stop Sexual Violence and Harassment. The plan is helping to change attitudes, improve supports for survivors, and make workplaces and campuses safer and more responsive to complaints about sexual violence and harassment. It is helping to create a province where everyone can live in safety — free from the threat, fear or experience of sexual violence and harassment.
Quick Facts
- November 25 is the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women and marks the beginning of the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence campaign.
- 70 per cent of Ontarians say that if they were experiencing sexual violence or harassment they would want a witness to intervene, even if the witness was unsure whether an assault was occurring.
- Over 60 per cent of Ontarians now strongly agree they have an obligation to intervene if they witness “sexual harassment” or “sexual violence,” an increase of over 20 per cent.
- 46 per cent of Ontarians say they are “likely to intervene” if they witness sexual violence or harassment, up from 38 per cent.
Background Information
Additional Resources
- Watch #WhoWillYouHelp
- Progress on It’s Never Okay: An Action Plan to Stop Sexual Violence and Harassment
- Dispelling Myths About Sexual Assault
- Details about the two waves of research on Sexual Violence and Harassment
Quotes
“We took a strong stand to end sexual violence and harassment through our action plan, and this research is proof that our work is changing attitudes. However, there is still work to be done. We will continue to act on the concrete commitments of our plan to create a province where everyone can be free from the fear of sexual violence and harassment.”
Tracy MacCharles
Minister Responsible for Women’s Issues
“Our government is committed to finding better ways to protect women and their children and reducing the incidence of domestic violence in Ontario. While we celebrate the progress that has been made through raising public awareness, we know that change will only happen if we are all committed to it. I’m calling on all Ontarians, to make change happen. We must work together so that every woman and child in Ontario can live free from violence.”
Dr. Helena Jaczek
Ministry of Community and Social Services
Media Contacts
Deborah Lamb
Minister’s Office
416-212-0410
Manuel Alas-Sevillano
Communications Branch
416-314-7011
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