Phase five of Stop it at the Start campaign aims to explain hidden trends in violence against women

Canberra, 17 June: The Australian Government has launched phase five of the Stop it at the Startcampaign with an aim to re-establish how adults and influencers of young people can help break the cycle of violence against women.

Violence against women and children is at epidemic proportions in Australia and it starts with disrespect.

There are new hidden trends of disrespect online and in the real world, which young people are exposed to. There are conversations happening online with our young people that we as adults are missing out on, creating a knowledge gap between parents and young people.

"As parents, carers, and family members, we all have a responsibility to build a society free from disrespect and violence against women,” said Minister for Social Services, Amanda Rishworth.

“For this, it is crucial to address the new and powerful influences that are present both online and in the real world, that are impacting young people’s attitudes towards gendered disrespect,”she adds.

Respect can and must be nurtured from an early age. Young minds, aged 10-17, are easily influenced by what they see and hear around them, especially what is served to them online. Many online platforms servedisrespectful content and violence supportive attitudes to young people, due to inbuilt algorithms designed to favourprovocative and polarising content. This exposure can easily affect young minds, ultimately shaping the type of person and partner they become.

Whilewe may not be able to censor or moderate the disrespect young people are exposed to,if we start understanding it, we can empower them, help them navigate it, and reject disrespect before it leads to violence.

“We as individuals and as a community, need to take steps to understand the information our young people are engaging with online and the disrespectful world they may be exposed to,’ said Minister Rishworth.

“It’s up to us to start those conversations with our young people about these negative influences online and offline, so that we can shape the next respectful generation.”

A suite of translated tools and resources includingA Pocket Guide to Respectful Conversations, a Hidden Trends of Disrespect Guide, and an Issues Guide are available in Arabic, Cantonese, Filipino (Tagalog), Hindi, Hazaragi, Korean, Mandarin, Nepali, Punjabi, Thai, and Vietnamese; to support parents, families, and other role models learn more about the new and powerful influences of disrespect young people are seeing every day and guide them accordingly.

To view and download the translated information, please check: www.respect.gov.au/ translated

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au.

Learn the hidden trends of disrespect before they lead to violence at respect.gov.au

We can all help Stop it at the Start.