The PRESS project is about prevention – respond and support of young GBV survivors with a particular emphasis on survivors who have experienced sexual harassment, sexual violence and gender-based cyber violence. Funded by the EU in the context of CERV Project Grants (Project number 101049295), the project is implemented by the Diotima Centre as Coordinator, National Kapodistrian University of Athens and the Faculty of Communication and Media Studies and Genderhood as partners, along with Greek Ombudsman and Hellenic Association of Social Workers as supporting agencies, between February 2022- January 2024. Visit the project page here
Aim
The PRESS project aims tο promote early detection and prevention of sexual harassment/ violence, with a particular focus on gender-based cyber sexual violence, and offering support services to women, young people, and LGBTIQ victims or potential victims of these types of gender-based violence.
Main Objectives
- Support persons with experiences of gender-based violence, through the operation of a pilot, holistic support center in Athens
- Provide professionals in 4 key professional areas with knowledge, materials, and resources for supporting persons who have experienced sexual harassment, and sexual violence including cyber sexual violence.
- Mitigate the effects of victim blaming observed in the media and promote a culture of consensus through the training of professional media, in order to become ambassadors of a culture free of sexism
- Increase awareness and prevention of the phenomenon in the context of Greek society and promotion of the advocacy for the need to establish a framework for protection against cyberbullying at local/national and European level
Expected key results
- Increased knowledge and awareness of key frontline professionals on sexual harassment, sexual violence
- Increased knowledge of young persons (16-35yrs) on their rights, and available services, which will encourage disclosures and support seeking
- Targeted, coherent, and coordinated support to survivors of violence in an integrated and holistic way
- Documented change in behavior and beliefs of media professionals and the general public
- A more significant incidence of SH/SV in the political and public agenda of Greece and the EU.
Planned activities
In the context of the PRESS project the following activities will be realized:
Research activities
- Bibliographic / desk research on sexual harassment and cyber violence and on the recent developments during the Covid-19 pandemic.
- Mapping of the existing situations regarding the reproduction of sexual harassment and violence in the Greek media – via news reporting, etc., and in TV channels and digital means.
- Drafting a Good Practice Guide on consent
Training activities
- Capacity-building training activities addressed to professionals of mental health, social workers, educators, lawyers, multidisciplinary teams of professionals, and students.
- Training of Trainers (ToT) activities addressed to media professionals and aiming to combat sexist and stereotypical beliefs about sexual harassment and sexual violence.
Support activities for gender-based violence survivors
- Psychosocial support for GBV survivors and people (over 16) at risk of experiencing sexual harassment.
- Legal counseling and legal aid.
- Empowerment and awareness raising – through team activities and workshops for young adult persons and teenagers (16-17 years old).
Advocacy activities
- Policy proposals and measures to be taken on a national and European level based on the desk research and the needs of GBV survivors supported by Diotima Centre.
- Proposals on how to mainstream gender in news reporting for sexual harassment and cyber violence.
- Organization of a roundtable discussion on sexual harassment and consent and on cyber sexual violence – shared among experts and young people.
Awareness-raising and informative activities
- Online campaign for the general public on sexual harassment on the internet.
- A communication campaign on sexual harassment and consent addressed to children and young persons and focusing on educating and sensitizing on issues relating to respect, body boundaries, and consent.
Target – groups
The main target group of support activities (i.e., psychosocial support, legal counseling/aid, and empowerment):
- Young women, men, and LGBTQI people (16-35) – especially school and university students who will be informed about their rights, available services, and complaint procedures;
The target group of training and awareness-raising activities
- Key professionals supporting GBV survivors – i.e., psychologists, social workers, educators, and lawyers (employed in the public and private sectors)
- People employed in the production of news/ reporting of sexual harassment, sexual violence, and cyber violence – i.e., journalists, news producers, etc.
The target group of advocacy and awareness-raising activities
- Policymakers and stakeholders
- The general public
Deliverables
Campaign: Cyber Violence Exists
Campaign
State of the art report: Preventing – RESponding – Supporting – young survivors of GBV: sexual harassment, sexual and cyberviolence
Download PDF_ENG
Guide of good practices and prevention activities focusing on consent for field professionals
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Report on how SH/SV and CYV is reported in the Greek media
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Policy and legal brief on cyber violence
