Last week thousands of Australians took to the streets to demand gender equality and greater action against sexual assault as part of the Women’s March.
As the crowd rallied and demanded change there was one overwhelming message plastered on signs and chanted by supporters: This isn’t a women’s issue, it’s a men’s issue.
Men are the perpetrators, and they need to stand up and take responsibility for their actions, the actions of their fellow man and do something about it.
It’s a sentiment Home And Away star Patrick O’Connor, who plays Dean on the show, has not only echoed but put into action.
Taking to Instagram over the weekend, the actor shared an emotionally charged message recalling his own experience with toxic masculinity while sharing a powerful image of him staring into the camera wearing only a pearl necklace.
“Over the past couple of days I’ve been reflecting on my feelings towards the recent discussions of the treatment of women by men and I’ve landed here,” Patrick began.
“I’ll start with this, I attended one of the schools that was listed on #chanelcontos rape culture petition in Australia. I know personally just how toxic the ‘boys will be boys’ culture is; it brought me hurt in school and for the most part school is something I’d rather just forget about. I’m saddened and embarrassed at the same time because I know from being there, that this behaviour is still so prevalent in our culture.
“To the young men who are struggling with their own masculinity at school.. I get it, I’ve been there.”
“When you’re a thirteen year old boy at an all boys school you’re surrounded by others who are wanting to boost their ego and prove just how ‘manly’ they can be; taking a stand against that is a confronting thought,” the actor continued.
“You might be scared that if you challenge your brothers, that you’ll get hurt, laughed at or even bullied. For the most part, that is the reality.”
“But if you can do it even just once, you send an immensely strong, important message that the culture must change. You are so much more of a ‘man’ for doing that than those boys will ever be.”
The star wants change for the sake of the women in his life, like partner Sophie.
(TV WEEK/Phillip Castleton)The 27-year-old then referenced the incredible women in his life – his mum, sister and partner, fellow Home And Away star Sophie Dillman – before sharing the “gut-wrenching anger and despair” he’s filled with at the thought of someone degrading or disrespecting them.
“As men, we would be nowhere without the women in our lives. We need to stop this at the source. That starts with educating young boys at the beginning of their lives that there is no place for this behaviour,” he wrote.
Patrick concluded with one simple call to action we need all men to take up: “Have respect for yourself, have respect for women and more importantly have the respect to call it out when you see it.”
The actor’s poignant post was inundated with messages of support from friends and fans alike.
“No shirt, pearls and magnificent words. Could we love you more ❤️✊🏼,” Pat’s Home And Away co-star Georgie Parker said.
“Well done mate. Well said. All of us men have work to do. @my_mens_team in support and continuing the conversation and education,” former Home And Away star Cameron Daddo pointed out of another worthy charity.
“Well said @paddy.oco 👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾 this is why we luv ya! 💖 …what a heart,” co-star Sarah Roberts added.
