Australian Women Launch #MeToo and #TimesUp-Inspired NOW Organization
Less than two months after Screen Australia revised its code of conduct, Australian women have officially joined the fight against sexual harassment. The Daily Telegraph has announced the launch of NOW Australia, an organization designed “to put an end to sexual harassment, assault, and intimidation in the workplace.”
Introduced by journalist Tracey Spicer and inspired by #MeToo and #TimesUp, NOW is a non-profit organization for people of all professions. It will fund research and education via partnerships with government, business, legal, and health sectors. NOW has also kicked off a crowdfunding campaign to provide victims with counseling and legal aid.
“NOW is more than a call for change,” Spicer explained. “It’s the place people can have that crucial first conversation about what they’re going through.”
The organization has tapped actors Abby Earl, Deb Mailman, Helen Dallimore, Danielle Cormack, and Sacha Horler, and musical artists Melinda Schneider, Tina Arena, Sarah Blasko, Missy Higgins, and Jenny Morris as ambassadors. They will work with NOW to heighten awareness of sexual harassment.
Similar to Australia, the UK has also designed and launched its own #MeToo and #TimesUp-inspired org: the UK Justice and Equality Fund. In the U.S. Time’s Up has fielded over 1,700 requests for help and has raised more than $21 million for its legal fund.
To contribute to NOW Australia or find out more, visit the org’s website.
