Albury

Win! Walking alone is not "an invitation"

CAMPAIGN UDPATE: Cnr. Mack has now issued an unreserved apology for his comments. Read more here. Thanks to everyone who was part of this campaign.

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This week, after a young woman was allegedly sexually assaulted in the town, Albury Mayor Kevin Mack reportedly told media: “I always have encouraged women not to walk alone, to have someone with them at all times, because that in itself is an invitation for someone to take advantage of you.”[1]

Sexual assault is never the fault of the victim. Violence against women is at epidemic levels in our country -with 1 in 5 women sexually assaulted in their lifetime.[2] Victim-blaming is part of the problem: undermining efforts to hold those perpetrating the violence accountable for their actions, and causing additional trauma for victims. We need to focus on perpetrators of violence and making it clear that violence in any form is not condoned.

As Mayor, Cr Mack is in a position to influence and shape community attitudes – can you join the call for the Mayor to retract and apologise for this comment, and show residents what his council is doing to prevent violence against women?

*If you've experienced sexual assault or family violence, you can access 24/7 counselling and support at 1800 RESPECT.

Reference

1. Images of three men released after teenage girl raped at knifepoint in Albury, NSW, ABC news, 30 April 2015.

2. Myths and facts about sexual assault, Rape and Domestic VIolence Services Australia.

777 SIGNATURES SO FAR

To Cr Mack,

We urge you to publicly retract and apologise for your victim-blaming statement, and show residents what your council is doing to prevent violence against women. 

Signed,

* required fields

Latest activity

Janet , 2207  /  signed 2015-05-01 09:31:43 +1000
"You’ve said it all! We cannot be accompanied by someone at all times unless we decide to give up work – as a minimum.
What a ridiculous statement!"
Helen , 2021  /  signed 2015-05-01 09:31:39 +1000
Linah , 2067  /  signed 2015-05-01 09:30:36 +1000
Megan , 2031  /  signed 2015-05-01 09:29:35 +1000
ann , 2779  /  signed 2015-05-01 09:28:40 +1000
Ingrida , 2571  /  signed 2015-05-01 09:28:09 +1000
"I’m sick of women being ‘the problem’. It’s women and girls being assaulted. The problem is the MEN. Put a curfew on them or something. Targeted education, heftier sentences. Something needs to be done. It’s not our fault!"
Ian , 2115  /  signed 2015-05-01 09:27:52 +1000
Tracy , 2040  /  signed 2015-05-01 09:27:01 +1000
"I’m so tired of women being blamed for their own abuse.

Attitudes like this simply compound the problem.

Be a man! Take responsibility for your own actions."
Agnes , 2777  /  signed 2015-05-01 09:25:43 +1000
"Dear Albury Mayor,
One question:
How do you think you would feel if this whole latest incident and scenario had a reversal of gender and in this you are the victim and you had to experience the restriction of freedoms, the insecurity about your safety, the feeling of powerlessness when confronted with a powerful being, the violation of your body, your sexual and most intimate body parts, the knowledge that many of the opposite gender consider you for the taking if they fancy you ?"
Colin , 2015  /  signed 2015-05-01 09:22:59 +1000
"The victim should never be blamed."
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