“Switch It: From Dating Violence to Safer Relationships: Rights-Based Journalism about Sexual” Violence

Association for Struggle against Sexual Violence has a new project called “Switch It!” The project aims to change the sexually violent language and create an atmosphere in the media field based on mutual respect and independent from sexual violence.  We interviewed Şehlem Kaçar and Merve Karabulut who are the trainers of “Switch It!”

What do you aim by “Switch It!” project?

Merve: We believe that sexual violence is only preventable by awareness, education, realization of protective/preventive approach and we aim to put forth the transformative power of communication and solidarity in struggle against sexual violence. The project includes seminars about dating violence and safer relationships; ‘rights based journalism about sexual violence’ trainings oriented to the university students studying media and communication; workshops with people working in the field of visual communication.

Could you give some information about your works on sexual-violence themed journalism?

Şehlem: Last year, we implemented a project called “Transforming Our Language: Rights-Based Journalism about Sexual Violence.” With that project, we aimed to highlight the supremacy of law and expand the idea of respect to individuals’ rights. This year, we continue our media trainings with Switch It! We aim to provide a social transformation by all these trainings we give about “using the right words”.

How are feedbacks from your workshops with students?

Merve: We talked about dating violence with around 3500 high school students in Istanbul with our project called “What’s Up, What’s not?” Now with “Switch It!” we have been talking dating violence with university students. There is much need to talk. People experience something disturbing in their relationships but they cannot name it. Thanks to talking and sharing experiences, people become more aware, also about their own violent ways. They usually say they never thought their behaviors were violent.