Choose Respect - three years on

Sexual harassment is an issue affecting every community in Ireland and was one of the driving principles set out at the launch of the Choose Respect campaign in January 2022.

It is often a misunderstood concept and hides in the shadow of sexual assault.

As a result, many people incorrectly believe that the issue never features in their lives.

While it is true to say that not everyone participates in the behaviour, you might be surprised at how daily instances of sexual harassment present themselves to you.

A few scenarios include:

Being in the company of friends or work colleagues where sexist comments or sexist jokes are sprinkled into everyday conversation.

In your group chat, receiving explicit photos or comments with sexist overtones.

On the street, you hear a woman being cat-called.

Some individuals who participate in or witness these examples, don’t see the harm. In fact, they might pass them off as banter.

But remember, these comments or jokes refer to the daughter or partner of “someone”. Imagine if that someone was related to you. How would you feel then?

AMAZING REACTION

The Choose Respect campaign was formed by a group of concerned individuals in Nenagh that was appalled by the violent murder of teacher Ashling Murphy near her home in Tullamore, Co Offaly in January 2022.

The reaction from the Nenagh community to the Choose Respect campaign in the past three years has been truly amazing across all sectors of the public. Dozens of businesses erected Choose Respect signs in staff areas and where possible, in front of house locations in their business.

The three local secondary schools, St Joseph’s CBS, St Mary's Secondary School and Nenagh College have played an inspiring role in facilitating presentations and group discussions on the subject. In fact, should you have the opportunity to walk around any of these schools today, you will observe Choose Respect signs on prominent display.

We are deeply grateful to the principals and staff from each school for the overwhelming support.

Sport can play a powerful role in influencing young men to set standards on and off the pitch and we are so grateful to three sports clubs in particular who have championed the campaign from the outset. Take a bow, Nenagh Ormond RFC, Nenagh Éire Óg GAA and Nenagh Lawn Tennis Club.

‘IT'S NOT ALL MEN’

In recent weeks we entered a new partnership with Nenagh Ormond RFC to promote our latest poster – ‘It's Not All Men...’ The club invited Denis Finnerty to give a brief talk to the senior rugby team on the impact of sexual harassment and how each player can make a positive contribution to effect change. The message was so well received that he has been invited back to address the U21s and U18s.

In addition, the club inserted our new leaflet in match programmes for their recent home game on December 7 and have committed to affixing A3 corriboard signs to the walls in all club changing rooms.

Nenagh Éire Óg has played an enthusiastic role from the outset in facilitating meetings with club officials and members, and signage is prominently displayed across the complex. After a recent meeting, the GAA club was very complimentary of the new approach that was approved by Nenagh Ormond RFC and is giving serious consideration to following a similar path.

Nenagh Lawn Tennis Club has demonstrated leadership on the issue from day one and continues to proudly display the Choose Respect signs inside the clubhouse and at court entrances.

Finally, we are very grateful for the substantial contributions we have received from a number of sources in the past few years. We would particularly like to thank Tipperary County Council, the Youghalara Christmas Swim Committee and Nenagh Lions Club.

Without these donations, we would not have been able to produce our website, posters, corriboards, bookmarks, flyers, etc.

In closing, the Choose Respect Team has one challenge for each of you. This Christmas, we’d ask you to pay close attention to the language and behaviour around you.

If you feel uncomfortable with some comments or texts you receive, please don’t look away. This is your opportunity to ‘Call it Out’ and make a difference in tackling the troubling issue of sexual harassment.