Merlin Entertainments supports ‘Stop it at the Start’ campaign to help eliminate violence against women

This International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (25th November) Merlin Entertainments is lending its support to the ‘Stop it at the Start’ campaign, aimed at breaking the cycle of violence against women.

‘Stop it at the Start’ is an Australian Government campaign to reduce violence against women. It aims to unite the whole community in helping to break the cycle of violence and encourages adults to positively influence the attitudes and behaviours of young people by:

• Role-modelling respectful behaviour

• Unmuting ourselves and calling out disrespect when we see it

• Having open and ongoing conversations about respect

By standing with ‘Stop it at the Start’, Merlin Entertainments aims to enact change to help eliminate violence again women through education, awareness and staff training, because while not all disrespect results in violence, all violence against women starts with disrespect.

As the global leader in location-based family entertainment, Merlin Entertainments is all about family fun, and family fun is based on respectful behaviour.

Ian Wood, Regional General Manager of Merlin Entertainments Australia & New Zealand advises

“we encourage fun and respect at all our attractions and in everything we do. That’s why we support the Stop it at the Start campaign, encouraging people to speak up when they see disrespect and role model the positive behaviour we want to see in future generations.”

In recognition of International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women and in support of the Stop it at the Start campaign, Merlin Entertainments has engaged experts to present masterclasses and training for employees. The masterclasses will educate teams on the links between disrespect in young people, violence against women and the importance of role modelling respectful behaviour. The training course will also include the subject of prevention of violence against women and provide practical information to help them speak up and take action against this type of violence and abuse within workplaces.

Find out more about the Stop it at the Start campaign here: respect.gov.au