Amy Watson on Violence Against Women

How can we prevent violence against women?  And what role do men who don't engage in violence, have to play?


This episode tackles a serious, but important topic.  Violence against women affects millions worldwide, yet too often, the focus is placed on how women can protect themselves rather than addressing the behaviors and systems that enable violence in the first place. This isn’t a problem women can solve alone—society as a whole, and particularly men, need to be part of the solution. But how do we move from awareness to meaningful change?

Episode Summary
On this episode, I sit down with Amy Watson, the founder of HASSL, an organization dedicated to tackling the root causes of female harassment and violence against women.

We explore the traditional responses to these issues, why they fall short, and what needs to change. Amy shares her personal experiences that led her to launch HASSL and how her entrepreneurial mindset is driving her mission.

We discuss how Amy is using a business model, rather than a charity, to fund and scale her impact. She explains her five-stage strategy, which includes education, community engagement, and innovative reporting technology designed to make it easier for victims to seek justice.

She also highlights the importance of engaging men in the conversation, not as part of the problem, but as critical allies in creating safer spaces.Beyond the specifics of violence against women, this conversation offers lessons for anyone interested in advocacy, making a difference, or building a business with a social purpose.

Amy’s story is one of determination, strategic thinking, and the belief that real change is possible when we tackle problems at their root.

Guest Biography
Amy Watson is the founder of HASSL, a newly launched organization dedicated to addressing the root causes of harassment and violence against women. With a background in entrepreneurship and a degree focused on business innovation, Amy has always been drawn to projects that combine social impact with business acumen.

Before launching HASSL, she worked as the COO of a health tech startup, where she honed her skills in building and scaling a mission-driven company. Her experience of being harassed in broad daylight—and the realization that no one stepped in to help—was the catalyst for founding HASSL.

Rather than relying on traditional awareness campaigns, Amy is focused on using a business model to fund long-term solutions, including workplace training, school education programs, and cutting-edge reporting technology.

She has rapidly grown a strong community, with over 250,000 social media followers and an ambassador network of 650+ individuals dedicated to making society safer for women.

AI Generated Timestamped Summary 
[00:00:00] Introduction to the episode and why this conversation is essential.

[00:01:00] Why violence against women is not just a women's issue—it's a societal issue.

[00:02:00] Introduction to guest Amy Watson and the mission of HASSL.

[00:03:00] Amy’s background in entrepreneurship and social impact.

[00:06:00] The personal experience that led Amy to start HASSL.

[00:09:00] Why traditional solutions focus too much on reaction rather than prevention. 

[00:12:00] The role of governments vs. private initiatives in solving societal issues.

[00:15:00] The business strategy behind HASSL and why it’s structured as a social enterprise.

[00:17:00] The importance of bootstrapping and keeping control over the mission. 

[00:21:00] The five-stage plan for HASSL’s growth and impact.

[00:26:00] The broader implications of addressing harassment beyond public spaces. 

[00:29:00] The messaging strategy—why starting with strong advocates is key.

 [00:35:00] Understanding the spectrum of male allyship and how to shift behavior.

[00:40:00] The challenge of balancing strong messaging with accessibility.
 
[00:47:00] Addressing the “not all men” argument and why it misses the point.

[00:56:00] Why men need to be part of the solution, not just observers. 

[01:02:00] The importance of scalable advocacy and shifting the messaging over time. 

[01:07:00] How workplace training can engage people who might not otherwise listen.

[01:12:00] The need for a more inclusive and engaging approach to education. 

[01:20:00] Final thoughts on what needs to change and how listeners can help.

Links
Hassl website - www.hassl.uk