By Aaron Cordy
GENDER-based violence, sexual harassment and discrimination against women are not new in Australian society. With the rise of toxic social media influencers children are caught in a bombardment of putrid messaging that has blurred the lines of acceptable behaviour.
Like every other school in the region and country, ACE College is not immune to the rise in abhorrent behaviour of young people driven by a lack of understanding and fuelled by the toxic side of social media.
The difference is the students of ACE, backed by the principal and staff, are saying “Stop the Sexual Harassment.”
A group of year 8 students who have dubbed themselves the Sassies have drawn the line for what is acceptable behaviour from classmates and how they are treated by the greater community. The Sassies designed a mural that was painted on a wall at ACE with the help of mural artist Kate van Nooten, hoodies have also been printed with Sexual Harassment Prevention on them, and they will have their voices heard when they address the school assembly.
Principal Bronwyn Rose has seen many changes in her time as an educator, but the latest trend of predatory misogyny has her worried about all the children under her care, not just the girls.
“There is a problem, and it’s caused through exposure on the internet to horrible disrespect to girls and women, but it hasn’t always been like that,” said Bronwyn.
“When I was growing up, sexual harassment was a huge thing, but over time it disappeared. We can remember times in workplaces, and in schools, where that wasn’t a problem, and it has began again.
“When we started the school 20 years ago, you wouldn’t have heard any sexual harassment in the school. There was none, and it’s gradually crept up over time with social media and influencers who I’ll not name on YouTube. To the point when children have iPhones in primary schools, and they’re exposed to it, then they arrive here with issues already. So yes, we’re open about it, but it’s everywhere.”
The powerful message of support for young girls and women from ACE College and the Sassies is a much-needed reminder for all parents and carers to be careful who is influencing their children.
