Sexual Harassment is a big NO and should not be accepted in any field of work. Unfortunately, sexual harassment is very common within the Fashion/ Modelling Industry because IT'S NOT REGULATED in Australia. We need to protect people because we have models as young as 15 years of age in the industry, who are unaware of the predators that exist. The modelling industry predominantly consists of women, who are not only young but are of all different ages. All models come from all different backgrounds, ages, genders, disabilities, races, and ethnicities need to be protected and respected. Respect should go both ways between the photographer and the model.

Please keep in mind that there is good and bad in every work industry, ethnicity, religion and gender. We need to regulate the industry to protect people from predators, pedophiles and con artists. By regulating the industry it will create respect for everybody, and everyone who works for the fashion/modelling industry. This includes, MUA (make-up artists), hair stylists, models, photographers, fashion designers, and all creatives that are involved.

The fashion industry has always been about expression, expressing one's own individuality. Every icon that has been created, whether it's an item of clothing or a piece of accessory is a form of expression. The industry has also been about adapting to changes to improve inclusion and diversity, and not just about trending. These changes we have seen over the last 100 years include, the types of models which now include different body shapes (categories for modelling petite, curvy, editorial etc.), different ethnicities and religions (dark skinned, Muslim, Asian, Indigenous etc.), and different genders (LGBT & male). As a model, we are asking for support to change the treatment towards models, by saying no to sexual harassment.

Recently across Australia in the Fashion/Modelling industry, some models have been experiencing inappropriate gestures or have felt uncomfortable when doing photoshoots with photographers. That's not to say these gestures don't happen vice versa too - but definitely happens often towards models in Australia.  Some experiences discussed amongst models include:

- Photographers touching models without consent

- Photographers drinking on set when taking photos of models 

- Photographers are telling models to not tell anyone about the incidents

- Photographers are asking for sexual favours

- Photographers saying to models they are sexually aroused  

Sexual Harassment is not the ONLY problem within the industry though, some fashion events have turned out to be scams or Tokenisms events. These events are created with a cause (i.e. Domestic Violence or raising money for Indigenous Communities) Some examples that models have experienced include: 

- Money being raised for a particular cause i.e. domestic violence, and those victims never received funding. 

- Models paying between $200 - $1k for a charity magazine (i.e. domestic violence) was never published, nor existed.

Models were promised to be featured in published magazines that never existed. We found out the owner had kept the money to themselves, and took credit for another company's magazine.

- Using Indigenous Communities as an opportunity to raise money, without considering having Indigenous models, nor having connections (friendships/ networks) to Indigenous communities. At this particular event there were 3 Indigenous models who were supposed to be wearing Indigenous attires and accessories, but in the end weren't wearing the items. When a Facebook post was made stating that these items were specifically for the Indigenous models. 

- Guests from overseas (USA & Canada - for some, this was their first time overseas) had experienced/ took part in a fashion show which was suppose to be organised with accommodation and food. Resulted in a situation which resulted in having to pay an additional 3k on flights to get back to their homeland. They were suppose to be taken care of, with the inclusion of having food provided, and accommodation to stay in. There were suppose to be fashion/modelling workshops which didn't take place The organizers were suppose to pick up some of the team from the airport but this never happened. Some were part of a competition, and were suppose to have a photoshoot with Vogue Australia, which didn't happen.  

The model industry MUST include everyone from diverse backgrounds, including Indigenous models. All models of all different ethnicities and races should be allowed to be represented in events. Events with a cause e.g. domestic violence or raising money for Indigenous communities should NOT be taken advantage of. 

So we are asking you the government, politicians, friends & families for your support, to help us models to regulate the fashion/modelling industry to protect innocent people. To protect models from sexual harassments and scams, to allow models and photographers to make a living without suffering the consequences. We are asking you to regulate photographers to to prevent sexual harassment, and if photographers condone to any misconduct, that their licenses are to be removed immediately. 

We need to have guidelines/ regulations in Australia that will benefit both the photographer and model. As we have good photographers that do the right thing by models, and want to see their models exceed in the industry. We MUST protect people who do the right thing, this includes models, photographers etc. anyone who does the right thing. But we need to also condone those who lie about innocent people - as there have been incidents where the model was the one making the advances. Anyone who claims to be have been sexually harassment should be investigated (all parties involved) regardless of who they are, model, photographer, fashion designer, and other creatives. As sexual harassment of any kind done by anyone will NOT be tolerated or accepted within the fashion/modelling industry.     

The fashion industry is a beautiful industry worldwide, it's fun, it's glamorous and it's about being creative - because it's who we are as people. But without these regulations in place, innocent people will still suffer sexual harassment from pedophiles and predators. Without these regulations con artists will still create events that do not benefit the people, and models will suffer from being able to enjoy a 'glitz and glamorous' industry.

We are asking you to think of your family members or friends who are in the fashion/modelling industry particularly in Australia. We are asking you to think about how you would feel if sexual harassment or sexual assault happened to you, or to anyone you know. We are asking you to protect our models who might even be your family members. Many of these models you might know, may not have the courage to speak up for themselves because they feel ashamed or feel guilt.     

You should never feel ashamed of speaking out about sexual harassment or sexual assault, it's important to create an awareness of incidents like this. It's important to have a voice about sexual harassment, because there might be other people who have no voice, and they need you to be a voice. 

The fashion/modelling industry has faced sexual harassment for many years, and nothing has been done. Now is the time to stand up, and support your friends, your family members, and anyone you know who has faced sexual harassment within the industry. 

Say no to sexual harassment and let's have the fashion/modelling industry regulated in Australia!