By BodyMatters therapist Sarah McMahon
One of the greatest privileges of my career has been co founding and being involved in grassroots advocacy group Collective Shout. Collective Shout is a campaigning movement against the objectification of women and sexualisation of girls in media, advertising and popular culture. Collective Shout has been the reason behind many individuals who are now rallying together to take a stand on issues of objectification and sexualisation in our culture. Some of the wins last year are outlined here.
I am proud to have been involved in something that has empowered so many people to have a voice; after all, the standard you walk by is the standard you set. I am also proud to have been involved in something that is actively changing our culture to be safer for women and girls. I firmly believe that it is a basic human right for a person to feel safe in their own skin. Working as a Psychologist within the field of eating disorders, it is impossible for me to know about the unrealistic and indeed harmful pressure and ideals placed upon girls and women without taking a stand on the issue. I am pleased that so many other health professionals and members of the community share my opinion.
Aside from the vital work Collective Shout undertakes, by far the biggest privileges in being involved with Collective Shout has been the amazing women I have had the opportunity to meet and work with. One of the most well known of these is co founder Melinda Tankard Reist, who is highly esteemed for her social commentary on sexualisation and objectification. Melinda will be speaking locally at Mosman Art Gallery this Monday.
“I hesitantly went to Melinda’s talk about children being sexualised in the media thinking it was going to be a sensationalist attempt to make me feel bad as a parent. During her introduction I realised it was the best 50 steps I took from the car to the auditorium and 90 minutes later, I had quantifiable evidence and authentic strategies to help educate my children against the normalisation of women and girls as sexual objects in the media” – Heather Douglas, parent
“Melinda Tankard Reist has a simple message which is powerfully delivered. With her prodigious intellect, sand blasted sense of humour and immaculate research she puts a much needed spot light on the erosion of childhood, the pornification of our environment and the commodification of young people” – Adolescent psychologist, Dr Michael Carr Gregg
Further details:
When: Monday 17 August 2015, 7.30pm – 9.00pm
Where: Mosman Art Gallery & Community Centre, Corner Art Gallery Way & Myahgah Road, Mosman
Tickets: $25 per person, $10 Moscard member
More information: Tania Burchell 9978 4166 or Rachel Faleatua 9978 4144
I strongly encourage you to consider attending as this will be a transforming event. Tickets can be purchased online here.
