The COVID-19 crisis and the associated forced isolation and restricted movement, has led to an increase in reports of domestic and family violence. Women who are experiencing or are at risk of experiencing intimate-partner violence have become more vulnerable as they are forced to stay at home with their abusive partners.
In response to the COVID-19 crisis, Our Watch, a national leader in the primary prevention of violence against women and their children in Australia, launched an updated No Excuse for Abuse campaign to raise awareness of non-physical abuse, which is often overlooked or excused. Carat and Thinkerbell assisted Our Watch to ensure the campaign reached the broader public, and making sure potential victims and perpetrators could access support, and the community could develop a better understanding of what constitutes violence against women.
The campaign was launched to educate the public on different forms of non-physical abuse, including financial, technological and emotional abuse. The campaign also signposts people who need urgent support to contact 1800 RESPECT and Mensline.
The multi-channel campaign across TV, OLV, Social and Search was further boosted by using network talent to connect with the audience. An important part of Carat’s media plan was to leverage the relationships morning show hosts have built with their audiences. Supported by Sunrise and Studio 10, the hosts interviewed Our Watch Ambassadors Tarang Chawla and Rebecca Poulson. These discussions were pertinent to raising awareness of the various forms of abuse.
The creative concept leverages the insight that various forms of violence can be subtle and is often excepted through off-handed excuses such as ‘it’s only because….’. By muting these common but ultimately dangerous excuses, the idea encourages people to recognise non-physical violence as a serious issue that can be just as harmful as physical violence.
Our Watch CEO, Patty Kinnersly, said: “By teaming up with Carat and Thinkerbell Our Watch has been able to create a clever campaign with a clear and concise message that resonates with its target audience. We want the community to understand that non-physical forms of abuse, such as controlling how a partner spends their money or using verbal put-downs, are serious, inexcusable and preventable. There is no excuse for abuse of any kind.”
You can watch the No Excuse for Abuse ads and find out more about the different types of abuse here www.noexcuseforabuse.org.au
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, family or domestic violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000. If you are worried about your behaviour, call Mensline on 1300 789 978 or visit mensline.org.au.
Media Agency:
Carat: Janine Virtue (Client Lead), Nisha Rajamani (Client Director), Grant Abrahams (Digital Director), Emma Boyd (Senior Executive),
iProspect: Tejal Mistri (Digital Strategist)
Creative Agency:
André Pinheiro – Tinker
Nikia Shepherd – Lead Thinker
Adam Ferrier – Chief Thinker and Founder
Jim Ingram – Chief Tinker and Founder
Josh Green – Thinker
Katie Ayling – Production Tinker
Partners:
Television: Network Seven, Nine Network, Network Ten
Online Video: EMX Engine
Social: Facebook
SEM: Google
