Press information

The campaign: “Respect is a Must - for Everyone.” is:

·         a campaign against sexual, physical and psychological violence

·         a campaign against the toleration of sexual, physical and psychological violence

·         a campaign against sexism

·         a campaign against disrespect

·         a campaign for more awareness, moral courage and action

·         a campaign for girls and young women

It’s about showing images of strong women and girls and communicating the demand for respect in non-allusive, simple and direct language.

A campaign against sexual violence and for more awareness, moral courage and action

The campaign: “Respect is a Must - for Everyone.” was a reaction to the rapes that occurred in Seebach, Rhäzüns and Schmitten at the end of 2006 and the one-sided media coverage that ensued. Arip grew into an independent initiative that activates and keeps the discussion surrounding the relevant factors for the prevention of such incidents alive. In the past two years the initiative was successfully implemented in numerous cantons and communities across German-speaking Switzerland and has struck widespread resonance and accord. Further implementations of the initiative, including French-speaking cantons, are in planning. A Multiplication Seminar for participants stemming from all European nations should serve to carry the initiative successfully beyond national borders.

Prevention through Professionalism

Television programs such as «Deutschland sucht den Superstar» and «Musicstar», among others, set youth under extreme pressure. Especially young women and girls are prompted to believe by casting-shows that instant media attention and success are possible. Success and recognition through physicality play a key role, whereas the individuality of the person is only superficially fostered. The pressure to match certain ideals of beauty and public appearance and to bear the judgment of an anonymous audience is enormous. The campaign: “Respect is a Must - for Everyone.” acknowledges this development, delineates counter-images and demonstrates other (female) realities. The young women shown on the posters illustrate that alternative facets of personality exist. They do not smile at the camera, but rather show a serious demeanor, that matches their slogans. The poster campaign does not portray girls who want to be pleasing, but rather young women and girls who are self-confident and demand respect and observance of their personal boundaries. In addition to the workshops on self-confidence, recognizing and maintaining personal boundaries and reflecting on gender roles (especially as they are transmitted by the media) the young women and girls also learn the ins-and-outs of professional photo-shoots and how to handle interactions with the media. Preceding publication of the posters a written agreement is signed by the participant’s parents as well as by the young women and girls themselves. Arip thus demonstrates how such a transaction is properly and legitimately executed on a personal and legal level. This process imparts participants with the know-how to recognize and claim their rights in managing offers for photo-shoots, etc.

If you have any questions or would like additional information we would be pleased to hear from you:

Dinah Zanetti-Überwasser at info at arip.ch or 061 321 74 63 (Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursday mornings)

Julia Büchele at julia.buechele at arip.ch or 076 389 21 08. (Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays afternoons)