Working across community is central to the Community, Respect & Equality program, and the primary prevention of family violence. A recent series of social media posts, profiling local men, highlighted just how powerful the stories of community members are in increasing reach and influence, building new social norms, and fostering conversations that challenge rigid gender stereotypes.
One profile featured Ben, a local schoolteacher working in a predominantly female profession. Ben shared his experiences of not only working in that space, but also using his role to help shape the next generation and challenge rigid gender stereotypes. Ben’s post received over 17,000 views, and reached around a quarter of Geraldton’s population.
His post wasn’t the only one that saw significant engagement among the community.
By using local, recognisable individuals, these posts resonated more with the Geraldton community, making them more likely to listen and engage. They were also able to leverage personal networks to significantly expand reach beyond the Community, Respect & Equality’s existing followers.
This strategy not only promotes individual role models, but expands understanding across the wider community of primary prevention, and the goals of Community, Respect & Equality.
Thanks to Chris, Ben, Thom, Previn and Rhyce for sharing your stories, and being community role models and advocates for the primary prevention of family violence.