In football, when a red card is shown by the referee, it means the player must be sent off; he can’t be replaced by another player and can’t play in the next game either. Photo: Freepik
In conjunction with the #16DaysOfActivism campaign (from International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women on Nov 25 to Human Rights Day on Dec 10) Unicef Malaysia has launched its #MyRedCard initiative in collaboration with the Johor Darul Ta'zim Football Club (JDT), better known as the Southern Tigers, a professional football club based in Johor Baru.
The purpose of the online initiative is to encourage everyone to “show gender-based violence the Red Card”.
In football, when a red card is shown by the referee, it means the player must be sent off and can’t be replaced by another player, meaning the team will be at a disadvantage with less one player. It also means the player who receives the red card can’t play in the next game either.
I am holding up #MyRedCard to fight against online sexual exploitation and abuse of children and young people, says Bergson. Photo: Unicef MalaysiaCollaborating with Malaysian team JDT, six football players – Bergson Gustavo Silveira da Silva (Bergson), Arif Aiman Hanapi (Arif), Fernando Martin Forestieri (Forestieri), Mohamad Aidil Zafuan Abd Radzak (Aidil), Leandro Sebastian Velazquez (Leandro) and Safiq Rahim (Safiq) – will be raising the Red Card to sexual predators online and against online child sexual abuse.
In his Instagram post, footballer Bergson says: “Players get sent off for fouls and misconduct by being shown the Red Card. Together with Unicef Malaysia and Official Johor, I am holding up #MyRedCard to fight against online sexual exploitation and abuse of children and young people. Join me to spread awareness and send off fouls this #16daysofactivism against sexual violence. Take a selfie of yourself flashing #MyRedCard, tag Unicef Malaysia and #MyRedCard.”
Footballer Arif says in his Instagram post: “Together with Official Johor and Unicef Malaysia, I’m showing #MyRedCard to stop online sexual exploitation and abuse, whether towards males or females.
"Yes, that’s right, there are male victims too. So, we need to play our role and respect victims of sexual abuse so that they will feel comfortable and safe to seek help. Join me and download the wallpaper from Unicef Malaysia’s link-in-bio, take a photo, post it and tag Unicef Malaysia to raise public awareness about online sexual exploitation and abuse. Don't forget to tag #MyRedCard and #SayaSayangSaya too!”
I’m showing #MyRedCard to stop online sexual exploitation and abuse, whether towards males or females, says Arif. Photo: Unicef Malaysia
Members of the public are invited to join the initiative and raise their Red Card to online sexual predators and against online child sexual abuse. All it takes is a few simple steps:
• Download the #MyRedCard phone wallpaper from the Unicef Instagram link-in-bio
• Take a selfie holding the Red Card. You can get inspiration from the footballers’ Instagram (Official Johor, Bergson and Arif Aiman)
• Post it to your social media (Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, TikTok, etc.) You can be as creative as you wish – even sing a song, dance, etc.
• Include a caption “I raise #MyRedCard to sexual predators ....” from the templates below or write your own.
• Tag @unicefmalaysia and use Hashtags #MyRedCard #SayaSayangSaya in your post.
• Encourage your friends and family to do the same.
Everyone is encouraged to join the #MyRedCard initiative and “show gender-based violence the Red Card”. Photo: Unicef MalaysiaSome template captions you can use are:
• I am raising #MyRedCard to predators who sexually abuse children online and offline. Creating safe spaces for children to disclose abuse must be a priority.
• I am raising #MyRedCard to online child sexual abuse and exploitation. We must make sure children can easily report experiences of online sexual abuse and exploitation to help keep them #safeonline.
• I am raising #MyRedCard to online child sexual abuse and exploitation. Many children are afraid of disclosing abuse for fear of being blamed or shamed. If a child discloses abuse to you, listen to them, let them know you believe them, and help them find support and report the abuse.
• I am raising #MyRedCard to online child sexual abuse. If you know someone who has been sexually abused, let them know they are not alone, and help is available. Support them to call Talian Kasiah 15999.
• I am showing #MyRedCard to sexual predators who prey on children and young people. Pressuring or forcing a child to take their clothes off, or send nude images is illegal. If someone is pressuring you online, let them know they could get into trouble. And seek help from a trusted adult.
More info at @UnicefMalaysia Instagram.
