The Aunties ‘Support Talk’ training tackles gender-based violence and discrimination in the industry
The Aunties has teamed up with Women’s Health Victoria (WHV), to launch an online training program to tackle gender-based violence and discrimination within the advertising sector.
Australia’s largest mentoring movement, The Aunties has developed the training based on feedback from other programs that mentees often felt more at ease confiding in their mentors than in managers, friends, or family.
Moreover, a recent Create Space survey highlighted that one in four women in the industry experienced bullying, undermining, or harassment at work over the past year.
The ‘Support Talk’ program is an online, video-based training that is available for free for the next three months but will become mandatory for all mentors in future Aunties programs.
Founder of the Aunties, Phoebe Sloane, said: “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 and capacity building, WHV, said the Aunties have 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,” Zappa said.
The training features a range of short-hand content, quizzes and a series of training videos. Created by Poppet Productions and directed by Lizzy Bailey, the clips feature familiar industry Aunties to teach important mini lessons.
Mandie Van Der Merwe, CCO Saatchi & Saatchi Australia and Chair, AWARD, added: “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.”
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