Understanding Sexism and its Impact: Bystander Intervention Programme
National crime statistics reveal a concerning number of crimes against women such as domestic abuse, sexual assault, rape, and murder. This programme aims to address sexist language and behaviors to create a culture of respect and equity, combating misogyny and misandry. Learn about the harm caused by sexist language and challenge prejudices through education and awareness.
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Why are we part of the Bystander Intervention Programme? National Crime Statistics show that there is a worrying number of crimes committed against women National Crime Statistics show that there is a worrying number of crimes committed against women domestic abuse, sexual assault, rape, murder. domestic abuse, sexual assault, rape, murder. In a culture where language and behaviours suggest one gender is inferior to another, it creates a In a culture where language and behaviours suggest one gender is inferior to another, it creates a culture where these kind of crimes become more likely. culture where these kind of crimes become more likely. This programme is not suggesting that any member of the OBHS community is going to be involved in crimes of this nature, it is about us creating a culture where the language and behaviours we all choose do the following: Behave in a way which shows respect and equity Behave in a way which shows respect and equity respecting everybody regardless of their biological sex or identified gender; Counteracts sexism of any kind Counteracts sexism of any kind including misogyny and misandry. The change in culture is everyone s responsibility: everyone s responsibility: our aim is to educate, and through this, reach a place where everybody wants to make choices in their language which shows that they view everyone as their equal regardless of sex or gender.
Key Question: What is sexist language and why is it harmful? Learning Outcomes: Learning Outcomes: Define and understand the meaning of sexism Recognise the problems with gender stereotypes Understand the harm caused by sexist language Keywords: Prejudice: biased opinion that is not based on reason or actual experience. e.g. prejudice against people from different backgrounds including gender Rape culture: a society or environment whose usual social attitudes have the effect of normalizing or trivializing sexual assault and abuse
Key Question: What is sexist language and why is it harmful? These words, when put in the correct order, define sexism: defined showing sexism prejudice as is women (but not only) the typically basis discrimination stereotyping or sex of against on Activity: Work out, in your groups what you think the correct order is and create a sentence which defines sexism. Sexism isdefined as showing prejudicestereotyping, ordiscrimination, typically (but not only)against women, on the basisof sex. Challenge task: Write a definition in your own words
Key Question: What is sexist language and why is it harmful? On your post it notes write down one word or phrase that you regularly hear that you think is sexist stick your post it onto the board. Activity: In pairs discuss: Why people use these words What do the words mean? How would you feel if they were directed at you? What is the potential harm in using such words?
Key Question: What is sexist language and why is it harmful? Girls don t understand politics Activities: Boys don t cry 1. 2. Try to think of at least two further examples. 3. Discuss with your partner what you think of each statement and why they are controversial 4. How would you change each statement to make them acceptable to all genders? In pairs decide what these statements are examples of. Girls should cover up Boys are better at science and engineering Women look after the children in the home Men provide for their family
Key Question: What is sexist language and why is it harmful? Discuss in your pairs: What reaction did the children have when the professionals entered the classroom? Are there any problems with having fixed stereotypes by the age of 7? If so what are they?
Key Question: What is sexist language and why is it harmful? Harmful Harmless Bitch I really like your hair That s so gay Don t be such a girl You look nice today Wolf whistle Wearing that is asking for trouble You re a pussy Only girls cry You smell good I d rate you a solid 7 He s a player She s a slag Nice suit Activities: 1. Draw the table and place every word/statement into whichever column you think they should go. 2. Using a different coloured pen/pencil write a brief reason for your decision.
Key Question: What is sexist language and why is it harmful? Discussion: What can you infer about sexism and sexist language from this source? From the source I can infer What do you think about the suggestion made by this?
Key Question: What is sexist language and why is it harmful? Agree Disagree Sexist comments such as man up ; she s a slag and boys don t cry , are not ok because they suggest that one gender is better than the other. Strongly agree Strongly disagree Activity: Go to whichever station best supports your opinion about this statement. Be prepared to justify your decision
Key Question: What impact can sexism and sexist language have on the victims of it? Understand the long term impact of sexist language and sexual harassment on victims Consider how you can make a positive difference to your peers Empathise with victims of sexism and sexist language Key Words: Impact: Effect something/someone has Cyberflashing: someone using the internet to send images of their naked body to someone they do not know and who has not asked them to do this. Misogyny- dislike of women Misandry dislike of men Rape culture: a society or environment whose usual social attitudes have the effect of normalizing or trivializing sexual assault and abuse
Key Question: What impact can sexism and sexist language have on the victims of it? Sexual harassment can occur through: words, sexual jokes and slurs, graffiti, or posts on social media that refer to someone s sexuality, body parts, or sexual behaviour. Passing rumours of sexual acts is another form of sexual harassment through words. Potential impact on victims: Traumatise victims Interfere with their ability to get an education Exact a physical, emotional, educational, and economic toll Have a negative impact on their wellbeing and mental health Cause a change in their confidence, their behaviour, their sense of self-worth Cause them to change their physical appearance in somewhere Make them not feel confident in going out in public places Cause students to drop out of school Make it harder for students to go to college or get good jobs
Key Question: What impact can sexism and sexist language have on the victims of it? Think about how this makes you feel when watching it
Key Question: What impact can sexism and sexist language have on the victims of it? The following incidents happen everyday in secondary schools and all of them have lasting impacts: I m a dancer, that is what I want to do. I m sick of people I m a dancer, that is what I want to do. I m sick of people saying to me you re so gay, that s so gay just because saying to me you re so gay, that s so gay just because I m a boy. I m a boy. I sat next to a boy in class, I d never said more than two words to him but he thought it was ok to put his hand on my leg. I was so shocked I couldn t move. Why the hell did he think that was ok? Being called a slag upset me, it was by a group of my boyfriend s mates. I hadn t even kissed him. Really nasty. No one should tell me I can t play netball or football. I like both and am as good as everyone else at them. Who cares him if I m a boy or a girl. I don t need to man up , I m not scared to show my feelings I don t need to man up , I m not scared to show my feelings and cry when I m upset. If anything I show far more and cry when I m upset. If anything I show far more courage than someone who wants to cry but thinks he courage than someone who wants to cry but thinks he shouldn t. shouldn t.
Key Question: What impact can sexism and sexist language have on the victims of it? IGNORE REPORT EDUCATE What can you do? What should you do? Your best friend is sharing a nude photo of his girlfriend with your friendship group. You are on the field and one of your friends shouts to you, you run like a girl . You are in the corridor when you hear girls shouting you re so gay to a group of boys. A year 8 boy is arguing with a PE teacher saying he doesn t want to play netball as it s a girls game. A year 10 girl is told by her male peers she won t be any good at football until she grows a pair. Girls in your year group tell you there s no point in saying anything about the sexist language because boys just laugh at them Year 11 boys are staring at a group of year 11 girls. One of the boys shouts, Bunch of slags . A year 7 boy is crying and you hear one of his peers tell him to man up . On the school bus home a year 9 student grabs a girl and pulls her onto his lap and won t let her go. Your friend says, Nothing is meant by sexist jokes, its just banter , no one gets hurt. Do these statements change your actions? Be honest. His girlfriend is your sister The year 7 boy is your brother The year 11 girls are your friends The year 9 boy is your cousin
Key Question: What impact can sexism and sexist language have on the victims of it? 1. What have you learnt in this lesson? 2. What will you do differently (if anything) because of what you have learnt in this lesson? 3. What do you now know about sexist language, sexism and sexual harassment from this and the previous lesson that you didn t already know?
EXTENSION TASK POSTER CHALLENGE Design a poster to be displayed around the school which reflects the changes we want to see in everyone s behaviour and language in order to change the culture. You could confront them with the unacceptable words and phrases which are currently used, and challenge them to make different and better choices; You could capture the potential damage that using the wrong words might have on a person; You might show the risks of tolerating unacceptable behaviour and language, and what this might lead to. Make it clear, eye-catching. Use language in a way which will capture the attention of your audience. Need a leg up? What about this ? Change your language, change your behaviours, change our culture. Instead of saying X, how about trying ? We don t say X because How would you feel if ?
