‘These issues are happening in our town’

Nenagh's Choose Respect campaign continues to engage with schools and clubs in calling out inappropriate behaviour towards women - and encouraging others to follow its lead.

Denis Finnerty, a founder of the Choose Respect campaign, recently gave an impassioned address to the senior Éire Óg hurling panel. He was expressing his concern for the rising incidents of sexual harassment across the country.

His message was very simple: “Everyone in our community and all of you here tonight, can play a part by intervening when you witness the early signals of sexual harassment.

“Here are some examples you can look out for:

· Receiving explicit images or sexist comments on your phone.

· Hearing inappropriate comments on a woman’s appearance.

· Observing unwanted physical contact directed towards a woman, e.g. touching/groping.

Why should you get involved?

· Be aware that these issues are happening in our town.

· Understand that these types of behaviour hurt people whom we care about.

· Accept that you can play an active leadership role in changing behaviours. “So, what can you do the next time you witness one of these behaviours?

“Step 1: Recognise the behaviour is a problem (if unsure, ask a teammate if they felt uncomfortable too).

“Step 2: Take a leadership role and feel responsible for dealing with it.

“Step 3: Speak up and challenge the inappropriate behaviour (don’t wait for someone else to step in).”

In closing, Denis thanked Nenagh Éire Óg GAA Club for their enthusiastic support for the Choose Respect campaign from the outset and he left the panel with these final thoughts: "It takes a bit of courage to intervene at first, but by intervening, you will be raising the bar amongst your friends and adding to the best values in your club and community.”