Australians taking action to Stop it at the Start and prevent disrespect

The Morrison Government’s Stop it at the Start campaign is encouraging adults to “unmute” themselves and call out disrespectful attitudes and behaviours.

Evaluation research shows that three in five adults who recognised the campaign said they took action as a result including being personally more respectful to others and intervening when a young person behaved disrespectfully towards another person.

Minister for Women’s Safety Anne Ruston said the Government was providing an additional $21.94 million to put the multi-award winning campaign back on TV screens between to help further encourage positive changes within the community.

“We have already seen that more than two thirds of Australians recognised Phase Three of the campaign and 73 per cent of those who did were inspired to act,” Minster Ruston said.

“This strong result has produced significant improvements around perceptions of personal responsibility in talking to young people about respect, intervention and not dismissing disrespectful behaviour.

“But there is more work to do and this additional funding will help us reach those Australians who have not yet seen that campaign as well as further inspire everyone to set the standard for what behaviour is and isn’t acceptable.”

Advertising will run from 7 November 2021 to 5 February 2022 across television, cinema, online, outdoor, digital and social media. 

Additional funding for Stop it at the Start is just one of the Government’s primary prevention initiatives under our record $1.1 billion investment in women’s safety in this year’s Women’s Budget Statement.

The campaign works alongside our Conversation Guide and Project ARI podcast to give Australians the tools and confidence to start a conversation about respect.

More information about Stop it at the Start and suite of tools and resources are available online at www.respect.gov.au to help parents and other adults to model positive behaviours and start a conversation about respect with the young people in their lives.

Broadcast quality versions of Stop it at the Start advertising materials are located at www.respect.gov.au/media

If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, domestic or family violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit www.1800RESPECT.org.au.