The Aunties launches Australian first mentor training ‘Support Talk’ – a how to on responding to disclosures for mentors within the industry

The Aunties, in partnership with Women’s Health Victoria (WHV), is launching a first-of-its kind online training program to equip mentors with the skills to respond to disclosures of gender-based violence and discrimination.

TW: Mention of sexual assault, violence and death.

Feedback from The Aunties initial programs revealed that mentees felt most comfortable confiding in their mentor – sometimes more so than a manager, friend or family member. In addition, recent Create Space Survey results revealed, 1 in 4 women in the industry reported being bullied, undermined or harassed in some way at work over the last 12 months.

After discovering there was no specific training program to equip mentors with the skills required to respond to these disclosures, or available for the mentoring dynamic, The Aunties created and launched their own, titled ‘Support Talk’, alongside the experts at Women’s Health Victoria.

‘Support Talk’ is an online video-based training program which provides tools and strategies to help mentors respond to disclosures around gender-based bullying, violence, discrimination and sexual harassment, within the context of the advertising industry.

For three months, the training is open to anyone to complete for free, however, the training will be compulsory for all mentors participating in future Aunties programs.

Founder of the Aunties, Phoebe Sloane, says: “We’re experiencing new generations of talent entering the industry who won’t tolerate these kinds of behaviour, as well as a current generation who have been rising the ranks and are growing increasingly more empowered to speak up, support and change the industry for the better.

“However, receiving a disclosure whether it be current, or past can feel overwhelming. You might be worried about saying the wrong thing, saying too much or too little. Support Talk teaches four simple steps to help mentors respond in these moments.

“It was essential to us that the training, while educational, was also engaging to complete. Like everything we do, we wanted not only to act, but to do it in a uniquely Aunties way. It has been an honour to collaborate with Lauren and the WHV team. Their expertise, support and time has been so valuable.”

Says Lauren Zappa, manager gender equity and capacity building, WHV: “The Aunties have identified a crucial skills gap – one that can feel overwhelming when disclosures of gender-based violence arise. We are confident that this new program is not only engaging and easy to understand, but it will empower mentors to respond to whatever may arise during their career.”

The training also addresses scenarios that cover instances of family violence.

Adds Zappa: “Sometimes work is a safe space for people to disclose what might be going on at home. With 1 Australian woman murdered every 4 days at the hands of an intimate partner, Support Talk also aims to provide strategies to respond and provide help, because ultimately, we don’t know what kind of disclosures might come our way.”

Says Mandie Van Der Merwe, CCO Saatchi & Saatchi Australia and chair, AWARD: “This is a no-brainer. You just have to listen to the news or talk to women in our industry to know that gender-based violence and discrimination is rife in Australia and our workplaces. Mentors and managers will find themselves confronted by victims of this reality. And knowing how to respond in that moment is vital. Support Talk is how you become part of the solution.”

The training takes approximately 40-60 minutes to complete and features a range of short-hand content, quizzes and a series of training videos. Created by Poppet Productions and directed by Lizzy Bailey, the videos feature familiar industry Aunties to teach important mini lessons.

Take the training here.

If you or someone you know needs help, help is available at 1800 RESPECT.

Created by
Women’s Health Victoria
Manager Gender Equity & Capacity Building, Lauren Zappa
Design & Communications Lead, Anne Johnston
Senior Training & Capacity Building Coordinator, Linette Johnson
Health Promotion and Communications Officer, Bethany Knight

Creative – The Aunties
Creative Lead – Phoebe Sloane
Creative – Amanda Chen
Creative – Sarah McGregor
Design Lead – Maddy Merzvinskis
Design Lead – Ika Jumali
Design – Rhodesia Saykao
Design – Madeline McDonald
PR Lead – Abigail Dawson
PR – Erin Dowling
PR – Elliott Holohan
Social Lead – Beatrix Fisher
Social – Angelina Lay
Social – Madelene McGuinness
Social – Sarah Gevaux
Operations – Sive Buckley
Photography – Darcy Scales

Production – Poppet
Director, Lizzy Bailey
Producer, Beth Malcher
Executive Producer, Nat Taylor,
Director of Photography, Amy Dellar
Art Director and wardrobe, Paige Anderson
AC / B Cam, Georgia Stewart
2nd AC / Digi Cam, Alessia Chapman
2nd Unit AD & PA, Chelsea Addison
Gaffer/Grip, Dan Carr
Lighting Assistant, Catie Carr
Sound Recordist, Lynne Butler
Runner & Standby Props, Jackson Sharpe
Props Painter, Stacy Jewell
Make-up Artist, Joyce Ying
Runner, Amalia Krueger
Runner, Anna King

Film Talent
Lauren Zappa, Women’s Health Vic
Anne Johnston
Nat Taylor
Nomfundo Msomi
Dhivia Pillai
Robyn Bergmann
Beatrix Fisher
Amanda Chen
Phoebe Sloane

Film – Post Production – Clemenger BBDO
Executive Producer, Karolina Bozajkovska
Offline & Online Editor, Jamie Williamson
Offline Editor & Grade, Jen Cahir