In 2024 we are marking Co-operation Ireland’s 45th anniversary by exploring our history through 45 items.

#45in45

Item 12: Share 2B Aware campaign animation

April marked Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month – a period where advocates, survivors, their loved ones, and the community come together to talk openly about sexual violence to support survivors, increase knowledge and awareness, and identify strategies and resources to prevent sexual violence.  

This topic was something young people on the Co-operation Ireland Young Advocates programme tackled in 2022 when they designed the ‘Share2BAware’ project with the sexual abuse victims’ support charity NEXUS NI.

Share2BAware combined an animation with a social media campaign to attempt to tackle the issue in a way that would be accessible to young people.

The campaign was designed by 16- to 24-year-olds from Twinbrook, Shankill Road, Turf Lodge, and East Belfast. It was funded by Belfast City Council through SEUPB PEACE IV. Sorcha McGlinchey produced the animation.

Peer Mentor Arón Hughes who was part of the design team said at the time: “In the aftermath of the Sarah Everard murder and the worrying statistics that show sexual offenses to be on the rise, we in Young Advocates wanted to play our part in raising awareness of the issue and educating young people about what is sexual harassment and the impact it can have on victims.”

Co-designer Lauren McAreavey said: “As a cross-community youth-led project for young adults from across Belfast, we felt we could play our part in tackling the issue and show that it is a society wide issue in need to radical change. The young people on the project began by identifying the issue a matter of months ago and have worked tirelessly to bring their campaign to young people across the region.”

Speaking at the launch of the campaign, Justice Minister Naomi Long said: “I was delighted to be asked to the launch of the Share2BAware campaign animation and am pleased to support this important educational tool which will raise awareness of the types of sexual harassment that exist, the impact it can have on a victim and how victims can get support. 

“I would encourage victims of sexual harassment and any other type of sexual offence to report it and I would encourage everyone to be the active bystander – when you see instances of harassment taking place to call it out. By standing up and not tolerating sexual harassment together we will begin to change cultural and societal attitudes and prevent it from happening.”