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

Simon , 2040  /  signed 2015-05-01 01:14:38 +1000
peter , 2099  /  signed 2015-05-01 00:59:04 +1000
Mariko , 2088  /  signed 2015-05-01 00:34:25 +1000
Jan , 2484  /  signed 2015-05-01 00:33:34 +1000
k , 2606  /  signed 2015-05-01 00:32:48 +1000
"Walking alone is not an invitation to be raped. Rape is a criminal offence, not a socially acceptable activity. Walking alone is a perfectly normal and acceptable thing to. Funny how when a couple of blokes get kinghit ‘cos they’ve been out on the piss and acting like idiots, the men in power seek to not only change the name (to the stupid term ‘cowards punch’) but enact tough legislation that is then harshly enforced. Women get raped every day and nothing seems to bloody change! Stop blaming the victim and enforce the laws that are already on the books."
Georgina , 2066  /  signed 2015-05-01 00:23:46 +1000
Rob , 2031  /  signed 2015-05-01 00:22:26 +1000
"Because I’m in my 70’s and think it’s about time men stopped trotting out the platitudes I heard from my father and grandfather. Women must reclaim their space – day and night – and men must change their attitudes. The focus must be on the perpetrators of violence and not on the victims."
Bruce , 3174  /  signed 2015-05-01 00:22:08 +1000
"When are people like you Cr. Mack, in such a responsible public position, going to realise that it is not a woman being alone or wearing a short skirt that’s the problem, it is the men who ‘take advantage’!"
kylie , 2615  /  signed 2015-05-01 00:20:24 +1000
John , 2044  /  signed 2015-05-01 00:11:47 +1000
"I understand that the Mayor was probably trying to be pragmatic with his comment, but it’s important to note that our society is fortunate to not be weighed down by centuries of the sort of cultural reinforcement of extreme sexism that in some countries compels women to wear burqas or confine themselves to the home unless accompanied by a male family member. We therefore have an obligation to demonstrate at every opportunity that sexual assault is not a male privilege, but a very serious crime that is disproportionately committed by men against women, and that comments like the Mayor’s tend to legitimise. Just think for a moment what your reaction would be to this statement: “I have always encouraged men not to walk alone, because this is an invitation for someone to take advantage of you”."
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