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Description
According to many studies (Al CZ; 2015, Persefona, 2016; IKEA, 2021), a lot of myths, stereotypes and misinformation about sexual violence are still present in Czech society (e.g.: rape affects only tens/hundreds of women; the most common perpetrator is an unknown man; women are co-responsible for rape). These stereotypes and myths influence how society and individuals relate to the issue of sexual violence: how they treat victims, how victims themselves think about their experience, but also how individuals assess the appropriateness of their behaviour and whether they are committing sexual violence. Sexual violence is a serious and widespread problem that violates the fundamental human rights of victims and negatively impacts society as a whole: in terms of the financial cost of the helping system and in terms of being a barrier to achieving gender equality. Therefore, through the awareness-raising campaign, the project aims to contribute to the reduction of stereotypes, myths and misinformation about sexual violence and thus contribute to the reduction of the secondary victimisation that sexual violence victims often face, but also to the reduction of the prevalence of sexual violence as such. The project will achieve this through key activities: an exhibition on sexual violence and harassment; a campaign on social media and in public spaces; the training of journalists and journalism students, and the impact of these activities will be evaluated comprehensively. The target groups of the project are: the general public, sexual violence victims, journalists and journalism students, and the project intends to raise their awareness of sexual violence, to contribute to the correction of their views on this topic and, as a result, to contribute to a change in their attitudes and behaviour. The target group is also proFem workers, intending to strengthen their competencies and thus strengthen the violence prevention system.
Summary of project results
The project contributed significantly to the programme''s objective by helping to improve the prevention of gender-based violence through awareness-raising activities on sexual violence. It raised public awareness, responded to myths about sexual violence and strengthened capacities to prevent and combat gender-based violence in line with the Prevention Action Plan and helped the project promoter to acquire the necessary know-how and contacts to develop future awareness-raising activities.
An exhibition "Ordinary Objects, Extraordinary Pain" was realized and held in 4 shopping centers, 3 awareness videos and 1 teaser for TV were produced and distributed. These activities were supported by an intensive campaign on social media and in the public space. As part of the training of professionals, workshops were held for journalists and students, accompanied by the distribution of the manual "Words Matter - How to write about sexual violence". The evaluation of the campaign included an analysis of the impact and the design process, which will be useful for future campaigns. These activities were essential in raising awareness of sexual violence. The exhibition and videos sensitised the general public to the impact of sexual violence, contributing to destigmatize a topic that is often taboo. Workshops for journalists and journalism students were key to ensuring empathetic coverage of sexual violence, which is essential to changing public discourse and supporting victims in seeking help.
There was a great interest of shopping centers to display the exhibition and the interest of commercial TV in the placement of the spot. The activities reached 7 952 568 people (planned reach was 2 084 000). The Manual has been well received, providing a deeper context which helps journalists to better understand the issues. Audiences rated the exhibition positively (4.9 out of 5), stating that they learned new information and would recommend the exhibition to others.