The Aunties, in partnership with Women’s Health Victoria (WHV), is launching a first-of-its kind online training program to equip mentors with the skills to respond to disclosures of gender-based violence and discrimination.
Feedback from The Aunties initial programs revealed that mentees felt most comfortable confiding in their mentor – sometimes more so than a manager, friend or family member. In addition, recent Create Space Survey results revealed, 1 in 4 women in the industry reported being bullied, undermined or harassed in some way at work over the last 12 months.
After discovering there was no specific training program to equip mentors with the skills required to respond to these disclosures, or available for the mentoring dynamic, The Aunties created and launched their own, titled Support Talk, with the experts at Women’s Health Victoria.
Support Talk is an online video-based training program which provides tools and strategies to help mentors respond to disclosures around gender-based bullying, violence, discrimination and sexual harassment, within the context of the advertising industry.
For three months, the training is open to anyone to complete for free, however, the training will be compulsory for all mentors participating in future Aunties programs.
Founder of the Aunties, Phoebe Sloane, stated, “We’re experiencing new generations of talent entering the industry who won’t tolerate these kinds of behaviour, as well as a current generation who have been rising the ranks and are growing increasingly more empowered to speak up, support and change the industry for the better. However, receiving a disclosure whether it be current, or past can feel overwhelming. You might be worried about saying the wrong thing, saying too much or too little. Support Talk teaches four simple steps to help mentors respond in these moments.
“It was essential to us that the training, while educational, was also engaging to complete. Like everything we do, we wanted not only to act, but to do it in a uniquely Aunties way. It has been an honour to collaborate with Lauren and the WHV team. Their expertise, support and time has been so valuable.”
Lauren Zappa, manager gender equity & capacity building, WHV, commented, “The Aunties has identified a crucial skills gap – one that can feel overwhelming when disclosures of gender-based violence arise. We are confident that this new program is not only engaging and easy to understand, but it will empower mentors to respond to whatever may arise during their career.”
The training also addresses scenarios that cover instances of family violence.
Zappa added, “Sometimes work is a safe space for people to disclose what might be going on at home. With 1 Australian woman murdered every 4 days at the hands of an intimate partner, Support Talk also aims to provide strategies to respond and provide help, because ultimately, we don’t know what kind of disclosures might come our way.”
Mandie Van Der Merwe, CCO Saatchi & Saatchi Australia and chair, AWARD, commented, “This is a no-brainer. You just have to listen to the news or talk to women in our industry to know that gender-based violence and discrimination is rife in Australia and our workplaces. Mentors and managers will find themselves confronted by victims of this reality. And knowing how to respond in that moment is vital. Support Talk is how you become part of the solution.”
The training takes approximately 40-60 minutes to complete and features a range of short-hand content, quizzes and a series of training videos. Created by Poppet Productions and directed by Lizzy Bailey, the videos feature familiar industry Aunties to teach important mini lessons.
Take the training here.
If you or someone you know needs help, help is available at 1800 RESPECT.
Created by:
Women’s Health Victoria
Manager Gender Equity & Capacity Building: Lauren Zappa
Design & Communications Lead: Anne Johnston
Senior Training & Capacity Building Coordinator: Linette Johnson
Health Promotion and Communications Officer: Bethany Knight
Creative:The Aunties
Creative Lead: Phoebe Sloane
Creatives: Amanda Chen &Sarah McGregor
Design Leads: Maddy Merzvinskis & Ika Jumali
Design: Rhodesia Saykao & Madeline McDonald
PR Lead: Abigail Dawson
PR: Erin Dowling & Elliott Holohan
Social Lead: Beatrix Fisher
Social: Angelina Lay, Madelene McGuinness & Sarah Gevaux
Operations: Sive Buckley
Photography: Darcy Scales
Production: Poppet
Director: Lizzy Bailey
Producer: Beth Malcher
Executive Producer: Nat Taylor,
Director of Photography: Amy Dellar
Art Director & wardrobe: Paige Anderson
AC & B Cam: Georgia Stewart
2nd AC & Digi Cam: Alessia Chapman
2nd Unit AD & PA: Chelsea Addison
Gaffer & Grip: Dan Carr
Lighting Assistant: Catie Carr
Sound Recordist: Lynne Butler
Runner & Standby Props: Jackson Sharpe
Props Painter: Stacy Jewell
Make-up Artist: Joyce Ying
Runners: Amalia Krueger & Anna King
Film Talent
Lauren Zappa, Women’s Health Vic, Anne Johnston, Nat Taylor, Nomfundo Msomi, Dhivia Pillai, Robyn Bergmann, Beatrix Fisher, Amanda Chen & Phoebe Sloane
Film Post Production: Clemenger BBDO
Executive Producer: Karolina Bozajkovska
Offline & Online Editor: Jamie Williamson
Offline Editor & Grade: Jen Cahir
