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.

----

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

Christine , 2448  /  signed 2015-05-01 09:01:00 +1000
"Blaming women for male violence is not only ignorant it’s insulting."
Diana , 2041  /  signed 2015-05-01 09:00:43 +1000
"2015: Walking alone is not an invitation to be attacked. Women have a right to be safe in their homes, at work and in our community."
Sally , 2780  /  signed 2015-05-01 09:00:37 +1000
susan , 2193  /  signed 2015-05-01 08:58:09 +1000
"I have a teenage daughter who walks home from school alone.this is not an invitation to be raped."
Jules , 2017  /  signed 2015-05-01 08:56:55 +1000
Ann , 2021  /  signed 2015-05-01 08:56:24 +1000
Michael , 2650  /  signed 2015-05-01 08:56:00 +1000
"Anything said that suggests that a sexual assault is the fault of the victim means that the actions of the perpetrator are in part excused and the likelihood that the real causes of the assault are not remedied is exacerbated."
Nicole , 2425  /  signed 2015-05-01 08:53:47 +1000
Jann , 2095  /  signed 2015-05-01 08:53:43 +1000
Lorraine , 2060  /  signed 2015-05-01 08:53:42 +1000
← Previous  1  2  …  9  10  11  12  13  14  15  16  17  …  23  24  Next →