Ontario Launches Next Phase of Campaign to Stop Sexual Violence and Harassment

Study Shows Many Ontarians Unsure What Sexual Violence or Harassment Looks Like

November 19, 2015

Speaking to hundreds of front-line workers, community leaders and advocates, Premier Kathleen Wynne launched Ontario’s latest public education campaign on sexual violence and harassment.

Premier Wynne unveiled the edgy new ad at the 2015 Summit on Sexual Violence and Harassment. This inaugural Summit brings together international expertise to build on the progress of It’s Never Okay: An Action Plan to Stop Sexual Violence and Harassment.

The new ad depicts behaviours that some Ontarians may have trouble recognizing as sexual violence or harassment. These scenes show everything from sexual harassment on the job, to expected sexual favours following a date.

In developing the campaign, Ontario commissioned a study by Ipsos Reid, which showed that while most Ontarians believe they have an obligation to intervene if they witness sexual violence, many Ontarians are still unsure whether certain behaviours constitute sexual violence and harassment. The ad campaign aims to help Ontarians identify sexual violence and harassment when it happens, so that they are able to step in and help.

The ad will appear on television starting November 23, and is part of It’s Never Okay: An Action Plan to Stop Sexual Violence and Harassment. The Action Plan,released in March 2015, aims at tackling the roots of sexual violence and harassment, and improving supports and services for survivors.

Quick Facts

Ontario’s #WhoWillYouHelp TV spot was launched in March 2015, and has reached over 85 million people worldwide.
One in three women will experience some form of sexual assault in her lifetime.
28 per cent of Canadians say they have been on the receiving end of unwelcome sexual advances, requests for sexual favours, or sexually charged talk while on the job.

Background Information

Ontarians’ Attitudes Toward Sexual Violence and Harassment Are Changing

Additional Resources

Quotes

“Sexual violence and harassment is a reality in every community in our province. This new research demonstrates that we must continue to educate ourselves about what sexual violence and harassment looks like, and that it’s never okay. We all have a role to play in ending sexual violence and harassment and making Ontario safer and more equitable for everyone.”

Kathleen Wynne
Premier of Ontario

“It is our responsibility as a government to ensure all Ontarians feel safe in their communities, workplaces, homes and schools, free from sexual violence and harassment. While this research shows progress, there is much work still to be done. We are calling on all Ontarians, through their actions and attitudes, to make change happen. We all have a role to play in stopping sexual violence and harassment.”
Tracy MacCharles
Minister Responsible for Women’s Issues

Media Contacts

Aly Vitunski
Minister’s Office
416-212-7159

Sean Simpson
Ipsos Reid
416-572-4474

Laura Sylvis
Communications Branch
416-314-7010

NT5