NEWS
STAND UP FOR THE WOMEN IN YOUR LIVES
This speech by Jackie Cowcher , Year 8 Form Teacher and Respectful Relationships Program Coordinator , was delivered during Assembly in Memorial Hall prior to International Women ’ s Day , Monday 8 March .
A couple of years ago I was travelling home from a conference in the city . It was the middle of summer and the tram was relatively full . I was sitting on one of those four-part benches on the tram where you are facing the people opposite you and your knees are almost touching .
The man sitting in front of me looked like a pretty normal guy . But he was leering at me in a really strange way . After a minute or so he started saying things and leaning in and making me feel deeply uncomfortable . And eventually it got to the point where it was obvious to everyone standing or sitting anywhere near me that he was giving me a hard time – hassling me .
I looked out the window and told myself to ignore it . I told myself it would go away .
The thing is , as many of you know , normally I would speak up . But it was a hot day and the tram felt claustrophobic . It felt too hard , too uncomfortable . Too unsafe .
And sure it crossed my mind to stand up and just walk away . But we were sitting directly opposite each other . And if I stood up I ’ d have to brush by him . And I just couldn ’ t bring myself to do it .
So I sat there and I waited for someone to look over and say something or do something . I scanned the tram . But everyone looked away .
Near the back of the tram there was a group of schoolkids ; teenagers , 15 years old , maybe . I looked right past them and out
the window . But as I tried to slow my breathing I felt someone sit down next to me . It was one of the teenage boys . And he just sat there – he didn ’ t say anything or do anything . He didn ’ t have a go at this man . But it was enough . As soon as the kid sat down , the man ’ s body language totally changed . He pulled back , he looked away . Then he mumbled something about people minding their own business – staying out of it . And he left me alone .
We sat there for another couple of stops and then the man got off . And I couldn ’ t even bring myself to say anything to this boy . I just sat there . Finally , we pulled up to my stop . As I got off the tram I turned around to him and said , ‘ Hey , thanks ’. And he just nodded . Smiled . Looked down . And I got off .
Boys – there is a conversation happening around you right now about consent and sexuality and relationships . You are part of that conversation whether you want to be or not . You have an opportunity to use your voice and actions in an incredibly powerful way as the world shifts and moves beneath your feet . Stand up for the women in your lives – not because they are your mothers , or your sisters or your friends . But because they are your equals .
Monday is International Women ’ s Day . How will you be an ally to the women around you ?
www . scotch . vic . edu . au Great Scot 25