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The Aunties & WHV Launch 'Support Talk' Mentor Training



TW: Mention of sexual assault, violence and death.


The Aunties, in partnership with Women’s Health Victoria (WHV), is launching a first-of-its kind online training program to equip mentors with the skills to respond to disclosures of gender-based violence and discrimination.


Feedback from The Aunties initial programs revealed that mentees felt most comfortable confiding in their mentor - sometimes more so than a manager, friend or family member. In addition, recent Create Space Survey results revealed, 1 in 4 women in the industry reported being bullied, undermined or harassed in some way at work over the last 12 months.


After discovering there was no specific training program to equip mentors with the skills required to respond to these disclosures, or available for the mentoring dynamic, The Aunties created and launched their own, titled ‘Support Talk’, alongside the experts at Women’s Health Victoria. 



‘Support Talk’ is an online video-based training program which provides tools and strategies to help mentors respond to disclosures around gender-based bullying, violence, discrimination and sexual harassment, within the context of the advertising industry.


For three months, the training is open to anyone to complete for free, however, the training will be compulsory for all mentors participating in future Aunties programs. 


Founder of the Aunties, Phoebe Sloane, said: “We’re experiencing new generations of talent entering the industry who won’t tolerate these kinds of behaviour, as well as a current generation who have been rising the ranks and are growing increasingly more empowered to speak up, support and change the industry for the better. 


“However, receiving a disclosure whether it be current, or past can feel overwhelming. You might be worried about saying the wrong thing, saying too much or too little. Support Talk teaches four simple steps to help mentors respond in these moments. 


“It was essential to us that the training, while educational, was also engaging to complete. Like everything we do, we wanted not only to act, but to do it in a uniquely Aunties way. It has been an honour to collaborate with Lauren and the WHV team. Their expertise, support and time has been so valuable.” 



Lauren Zappa, Manager Gender Equity & Capacity Building, WHV, said: “The Aunties have identified a crucial skills gap - one that can feel overwhelming when disclosures of gender-based violence arise. We are confident that this new program is not only engaging and easy to understand, but it will empower mentors to respond to whatever may arise during their career.” 


The training also addresses scenarios that cover instances of family violence. 


Zappa adds:


“Sometimes work is a safe space for people to disclose what might be going on at home. With 1 Australian woman murdered every 4 days at the hands of an intimate partner, Support Talk also aims to provide strategies to respond and provide help, because ultimately, we don’t know what kind of disclosures might come our way.”

Mandie Van Der Merwe, CCO Saatchi & Saatchi Australia and Chair, AWARD, added: “This is a no-brainer. You just have to listen to the news or talk to women in our industry to know that gender-based violence and discrimination is rife in Australia and our workplaces. Mentors and managers will find themselves confronted by victims of this reality. And knowing how to respond in that moment is vital. Support Talk is how you become part of the solution.” 



The training takes approximately 40-60 minutes to complete and features a range of short-hand content, quizzes and a series of training videos. Created by Poppet Productions and directed by Lizzy Bailey, the videos feature familiar industry Aunties to teach important mini lessons. 


Take the training here.


If you or someone you know needs help, help is available at 1800 RESPECT.


CREDITS:


Women’s Health Victoria

Manager Gender Equity & Capacity Building, Lauren Zappa

Design & Communications Lead, Anne Johnston

Senior Training & Capacity Building Coordinator, Linette Johnson

Health Promotion and Communications Officer, Bethany Knight


Creative - The Aunties

Creative Lead - Phoebe Sloane

Creative - Amanda Chen

Creative - Sarah McGregor

Design Lead - Maddy Merzvinskis

Design Lead - Ika Jumali

Design - Rhodesia Saykao

Design - Madeline McDonald

PR Lead - Abigail Dawson

PR - Erin Dowling

PR - Elliott Holohan                     

Social Lead - Beatrix Fisher       

Social - Angelina Lay

Social - Madelene McGuinness  

Social - Sarah Gevaux

Operations - Sive Buckley

Photography - Darcy Scales                                                    


Production - Poppet

Director, Lizzy Bailey

Producer, Beth Malcher

Executive Producer, Nat Taylor,

Director of Photography, Amy Dellar

Art Director and wardrobe, Paige Anderson

AC / B Cam, Georgia Stewart

2nd AC / Digi Cam, Alessia Chapman

2nd Unit AD & PA, Chelsea Addison

Gaffer/Grip, Dan Carr

Lighting Assistant, Catie Carr

Sound Recordist, Lynne Butler

Runner & Standby Props, Jackson Sharpe

Props Painter, Stacy Jewell

Make-up Artist, Joyce Ying

Runner, Amalia Krueger

Runner, Anna King


Film Talent

Lauren Zappa, Women’s Health Vic

Anne Johnston

Nat Taylor

Nomfundo Msomi

Dhivia Pillai

Robyn Bergmann

Beatrix Fisher

Amanda Chen

Phoebe Sloane   

Film - Post Production - Clemenger BBDO

Executive Producer, Karolina Bozajkovska

Offline & Online Editor, Jamie Williamson

Offline Editor & Grade, Jen Cahir


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