Tracey Spicer’s #MeToo organisation shuts down after promising to expose sexual harassment in Australia’s workplaces
- NOW Australia announced on June 5 they will be shutting down due to funding
- Tracey Spicer one of 26 founders of the group but stepped down 18 months ago
- Group intended to bring to light sexual abuse in the workplace in Australia
An organisation that promised to expose sexual harassment in the workplace closes down less than two and half years after it launched.
NOW Australia, which was set up by 26 women including Tracey Spicer, announced on June 5 they would be shutting their doors.
The organisation was created in 2018 out of the #MeToo movement to stop sexual harassment against women.
One of their greatest achievements was a submission made to the Australian Human Rights Commission’s (AHRC) National Inquiry into Sexual Harassment in the Workplace, where many of their recommendations were adopted.
NOW Australia, which was set up by 26 women including Tracey Spicer (pictured), announced on June 5 they would be shutting their doors
A statement released by the organisation stated that they needed ‘financial viability and stability’ to achieve their dreams of ‘better prevention, stronger regulation and more effective support’
A statement released by the organisation stated that they needed ‘financial viability and stability’ to achieve their dreams of ‘better prevention, stronger regulation and more effective support’.
‘We now find ourselves facing unprecedented times. The national funding landscape has changed dramatically,’ the statement said.
‘COVID-19 continues to impact individuals, families and businesses across the country. This has created an extremely precarious landscape and as a result, we have chosen to adopt a conservative approach.
‘We have taken the difficult, but fiscally responsible decision to close down. The remaining funds are being shared on to YWCA and to Justice Connect to support their important work with the Gateway Project.’
The organisation said they didn’t take the move lightly and thanked donors and supporters.
‘To the survivors out there – we hear you, we believe you and we acknowledge the impact of your experience. Please know that the fight for workplaces free of sexual harassment continues,’ the statement said.
Jane Caro, Tracy Spicer and L.J Loch march in the Sydney Women’s March in 2017
Ms Spicer was one of the 26 people who founded the organisation and in 2017 she called on sexual assault survivors to share their stories.
Many disclosures were left unanswered and NOW Australia was forced to apologise. The actions were heavily criticised by Buzzfeed Investigations.
Ms Spicer told Daily Mail Australia in a statement: ‘NOW Australia has been run by an independent board since mid-2018. While I was one of 26 women who founded the organisation, I stepped away more than 18 months ago. I have never been a member of that board.’
Sharna Bremner, the founder of the End Rape on Campus, said it was disappointing the organisation was closing but was unimpressed with their work.
‘I’m pretty disappointed because it could have been something good had it been done properly, it was something a lot of people put a lot of hope a lot of money into,’ Ms Bremner told the Daily Telegraph.
‘It was harmful for people who were completely ignored … some of those people will not speak up and seek support ever again,’ she said.