Actor and comedian Emily Atack joins Fearne Cotton to discuss sexual harassment, online and in real life, and its impact on self-worth. They share personal experiences of catcalling, unsolicited photos, and societal pressures on women to be both sexy and smart. They explore the need for structural change, education, and calling out inappropriate behavior. They also discuss the harmful impact of men whistling at women and emphasize the importance of self-acceptance and staying true to oneself.
Online sexual harassment needs to be challenged and not blamed on women's behavior or appearance.
The perception that embracing sexuality hinders credibility and invites abuse needs to be debunked.
Comprehensive education about consent, boundaries, and the impact of harassment is crucial to empower and protect future generations.
Deep dives
Normalizing Online Sexual Harassment
In Emily Atack's documentary 'Asking for It,' she sheds light on the prevalence and normalization of online sexual harassment. Emily shares her personal experiences of receiving inappropriate messages, images, and videos on a daily basis, especially during lockdown. She discusses the frustration of being told to change her behavior or appearance to avoid harassment, emphasizing that feeling empowered has nothing to do with inviting such behavior. Emily highlights the need to challenge the notion that women who embrace their sexuality are inviting unwanted attention. She also explores the generational divide in understanding and educating about boundaries, consent, and online safety.
Navigating Double Standards
The podcast delves into the double standards faced by women in the public eye. Emily discusses how her career choices, such as appearing in lads' magazines and playing certain characters, have led to unfair judgments and assumptions about her character. She challenges the idea that embracing her sexuality or being open about her sex life should diminish her credibility or invite abuse. Emily and the host highlight the need for society to progress beyond the perception that women who are overtly sexual cannot be taken seriously in other aspects of their lives.
Changing the Conversation and Empowering Future Generations
The conversation shifts towards the importance of education and changing societal norms. Emily reflects on her experiences talking to young girls at a school and finding them feeling safer with their male classmates than with older men who objectify them. This revelation emphasizes the need for comprehensive education about consent, boundaries, and the impact of harassment, starting from a young age. Emily calls for a shift in the way society views and respects women's bodies and sexuality, and emphasizes the responsibility to empower and protect future generations.
The Importance of Empowerment and Self-Expression
The podcast discusses the importance of empowerment and self-expression, particularly in relation to navigating societal expectations and embracing one's own sexuality. The speaker expresses frustration with the pressure to conform and diminish one's own empowerment for the sake of others' comfort. The message conveyed is that women should be able to feel empowered without fear for their safety or worrying about how men perceive them.
Addressing the Issue of Sexual Harassment and Misogynistic Behavior
The podcast delves into the issue of sexual harassment and misogynistic behavior towards women, both online and in real life. It highlights the systemic nature of the problem and emphasizes the need for education and behavioral change among men. The speaker emphasizes the importance of holding men accountable for their actions and encouraging them to call out sexist behavior among their peers. The podcast also discusses the impact of such harassment on women's mental health and self-worth, stressing the need for supportive conversations and positive change.
How does sexual harassment – both online and in real life – affect a person’s sense of self worth? This is one of the many questions actor and comedian Emily Atack has been asking herself and others in her new documentary, and as she campaigns for parliament to change the law around cyberflashing.
In this chat, Emily and Fearne share their experiences of everything from catcalling and being sent unsolicited photos online, to the way the world has made them feel about their own bodies. Plus, they try to unravel why it is that society struggles to allow women to be sexy and smart at the same time.
Emily Atack: Asking For It? will air on BBC Two and iPlayer at 9pm on Tuesday 31st January.
