Lewes launch #CallHimOut campaign

By Ian Townsend

Lewes launch new campaign pledging to stand against sexism, misogyny and violence against women


Pitching In Isthmian Premier side Lewes are already well-known for their commitment to equality- and have launched a new campaign pledging to call out inappropriate comments and behaviour from men towards women.

In a statement released on the club website- and later reinforced on social media by officials including first team manager Tony Russell and club Chair Stuart Fuller, they explained:

'Football is powerful. Its influence goes beyond the pitch and beyond the full-time whistle. And, for now, football is a majority male sport, in participation and watching it.

So what better place to take action against the epidemic of misogyny, sexism and male-on-female violence.

Because it’s time, it’s way beyond time, that men took personal responsibility for what all women have to endure, day in, day out.

This is a problem for men to resolve, not women.

Lewes FC’s men’s team want to do something, as a group and as individuals.

From today, when anyone in the men’s team (and managers, and coaches) hears or sees something said or done by a workmate, family member, friend or anyone they’re with, that they feel is disrespectful, sexist or harmful in any way to a woman, whether she’s there or not, they will speak to that man and they will #CallHimOut. That might make them feel uncomfortable. But nowhere near as uncomfortable as the women on the receiving end of every demeaning comment.

Our men’s team are good guys, like so many men, but now is the time to take action. And that action will include each man also calling themselves out sometimes, by going back on an ill-judged comment, by saying “Sorry, I shouldn’t have said that”. This is a decision that starts within each man, to be part of the solution and not part of the problem.

“What stuff should I call out? Who decides?” people (men) may ask. The answer is that each man will develop their own radar, their own code and will know, in their heart, when something needs to be called out.

This is something that every man can do and it will make a difference to women’s everyday lives.

#CallHimOut'

The club, who four years ago launched their Equality FC project, are well known for standing up for equality and taking a strong moral approach to the way they do business. They are still the only professional or semi-professional club in the world to invest equally in their men's and women's sides, and have campaigned for equal prize money in the men's and women's game. Their latest campaign is well timed, given current events in the UK and the debate about women's safety- a debate which is perhaps focusing far more on the way that women can keep themselves safe than on educating the men who create that unsafe situation in the first place.

Stuart Fuller summed up the reasoning behind the club's actions on Twitter:

'As a father to two brilliant girls I pledge to take responsibility for, and action against, Violence Against Women and Girls. I won't stand by silent if I see or hear someone being misogynistic - I'll #CallHimOut.'

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Where next?

Get with the e-programme: 9 October 2021 Our electronica from Saturday. Think of it as if it's a readable Depeche Mode- only with studs on the feet instead of in other places
Make it Snappy- 9th October 2021 We take a trip through some of the best of yesterday's photographs, with links to even more shots

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