We all Belong in the Gong

Wollongong City Council wants everyone to feel safe in our City Centre and that is why we want all retailers in the Crown Street Mall to throw their support behind the I Belong in the Gong campaign.

“I Belong in the Gong is about saying no to harassment and letting people know who they can ask for help if they experience confronting or threatening behaviour,’’ said Wollongong City Lord Mayor Councillor Gordon Bradbery AM.

“NSW Police have told us crime rates in the CBD have dropped in recent years but we know bullying and harassment often goes unreported. This campaign makes it clear we won’t tolerate this behaviour either.’’

This project is funded by NSW Department of Justice, and is in partnership with NSW Police, Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra, Illawarra Multicultural Services and Strategic Community Assistance to Refugee Families (SCARF).

In the second phase of the campaign, Council has today, Thursday 12 July, launched a series of decal stickers and a retail charter, which says the store is a safe space and that the business doesn’t support unwelcome behaviour.

“People may remember that earlier this year we launched the I Belong in the Gong campaign where we promoted a video that highlighted the fact our City and everyone who call it home pride themselves on being open and welcoming,’’ Cr Bradbery said.

“We had a really positive response to this campaign and this is the next phase to increase knowledge of the project and continue to drive change. I encourage all retailers to get on board and to say that we do not support threatening or harassing behaviours.’’

Parliamentary Secretary for the Illawarra and South Coast Gareth Ward MP said he was pleased to support the campaign.

“I am very pleased to support the ‘I Belong in the Gong’ because everybody has the right to feel safe in the City of Wollongong,” he said.

“This campaign sends the message loud and clear – We do not support threatening or harassing behaviours. I encourage local small businesses to also get behind this campaign and show your support for a safer Wollongong,” Mr Ward said.

As part of the I Belong in the Gong campaign, Council surveyed women about their experiences in the City. The data from the survey of 328 women helps us create initiatives and programs to reduce negative behaviour.

The survey showed the vast majority of women, if they needed help, would approach Police or security with 49 per cent of women also saying they would ask retailers for help.

“With this information, we can drive change in people’s behaviour,’’ Cr Bradbery said.

“We will not tolerate any form of harassment in our City. I’d like anyone who has experienced a form of harassment to report it whether to the Police, Mall security or to a retailer. This information will help us target specific areas if there are issues. We’re a welcoming place, a friendly place and everyone should feel safe here.’’

As a result of the survey, Council has launched training for our security contractor to help them identify what forms harassment can take, and how they are best to respond.

If you’d like to know more about the project, you can contact Council’s Customer Service Team on (02) 4227 7111.

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