Call Them Out
Does your mate turn into a space invader on a night out? Has he ever crossed the line and made women feel uncomfortable? Tell him it’s game over.
Does your mate turn into a space invader on a night out? Has he ever crossed the line and made women feel uncomfortable? Tell him it’s game over.
‘Call Them Out’ is a campaign that's been developed to help men identify what behaviour is inappropriate, giving them the skills and confidence to call out their mates to help create a safer space for us all.
Understanding misogyny, harassment, and sexual violence is the first step to affect change among friends. Violence against women isn’t just physical abuse – it covers many behaviours that can make women feel uncomfortable or violated. You can learn more about these behaviours, here.
It’s time for us all to recognise violence against women, and take responsibility for the actions of ourselves and others. Let’s help make Cambridgeshire a safer place for everyone.
We know it can be hard to talk to your mates about their behaviour. You might not be sure where to start or feel worried about saying the wrong thing. Perhaps you lack the confidence to stand up to your friends. We understand, and we’re here to help.
Check out our conversation starters and practical advice on how you can initiate these conversations with your friends, here.
Nice arse! Your co-worker
Your mate’s other mate ‘Show us your tits’
‘Oi oi, give us your number?’ Your best mate
How you respond to your friend’s behaviour is crucial. While you may not act inappropriately towards women yourself, enabling or accepting the behaviour of others can be equally damaging.
Acts of misogyny, harassment, and sexual violence against women have serious consequences for your mate and others involved. Being honest and opening the conversation can contribute to real change. By stepping in and speaking up, you can make an impact and prevent situations from escalating further.
Our research shows that almost 80% of women feel unsafe when out in public spaces across Cambridgeshire. If you want to help women to feel safer when they’re out, start by educating your friends on how to interact respectfully with women.
Nobody wants to be the guy that ruins her night – perhaps he doesn’t realise how it makes her feel, but, by letting him know he’s taken it too far, you can help him correct his behaviour.
You can learn more about what behaviours are considered as misogyny, harassment, and sexual violence here.
If you’re not sure what can be considered offensive by women, check out our Red Flag Registry. It’s filled with tangible examples of red flags that have been submitted by our audience – from telling women that they belong in the kitchen, to being controlling about their choices of clothing.
Take a look to learn more here.
If you suspect a woman who you don’t know is in a potentially threatening or uncomfortable situation, you can still take measures to help her. However, it’s important to assess the situation thoroughly before involving yourself in order to prevent the situation from escalating further.
We have some more advice on how to safely intervene when you see someone in need here.
