This question was asked at a recent briefing we organised to discuss the outcomes of our public opinion poll on social justice advocacy. But to have an image problem, don’t you need to have an image in the first place?

In this blog Anna Visser, Director of The Advocacy Initiative tackles that question.

There is evidence that the public only has a fuzzy understanding of what social justice advocates do with their time. Only a third agreed with the statement that ‘charities or non-profit groups are allowed to engage in political lobbying’, though more agreed we can organise protests or demonstrations. 20% agreed that charities and non-profits can support a political party while 35% said we couldn’t. Overall there was a very significant ‘don’t know’ response when asked about the detail of advocacy activities.

It is no major surprise then that not everyone knows what a policy submission is or how an Oireachtas committee works. But I don’t think it matters. You don’t need to know the details of something to know it’s a good thing. What does matter is whether the public supports this work and wants it to happen. There are very strong levels of support for advocacy, campaigning and lobbying by charities and non-profits. Despite some of our fears, 72% believe it is important for charities to campaign and lobby government. This work is not just an add-on after the serious business of delivering services, but the majority (51%) recognise campaigning as part of the ‘cause’.

Unfortunately while there might be widespread support for the role of charities and non-profits in shaping law and policy, the public don’t seem to be too impressed by our track record. 15% think charities and non-profits have an influence on law and policy, but 46% think we should be influential. Charities and non-profit groups are the only sector that the public would like to have more (rather than less) influence on government (compared with trade unions, business, farmers, and religious bodies/churches). Given the threefold gap between actual influence and ideal influence, perhaps then it is unsurprising that nearly a third expressed a reservation that charities and non-profits spend too much time on advocacy and not enough helping people.

So the picture is split. Despite not having a broad understanding of what social justice advocacy is, the public do think government should engage more with charities and non-profits in order to protect those who are vulnerable. However, they are not overwhelmed by our success. But neither are we. A deep sense that social justice advocacy must achieve more has brought the members of The Advocacy Initiative together, and we will continue to explore the many related issues.

The second part of the opinion poll is due in April and will further investigate the public’s attitude to the social justice advocacy work done by the community and voluntary sector. Keep an eye on our website or Facebook page for updates.

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