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

Kerryn , 2292  /  signed 2015-05-04 13:53:58 +1000
Sidney , 2486  /  signed 2015-05-04 13:27:45 +1000
Pauline , 2318  /  signed 2015-05-04 13:21:11 +1000
"walking alone? Next people like Cr Mack will be saying we should only walk between 10.00am and 4.00pm, be covered from head to foot and always walk with our heads down."
Dettra , 2483  /  signed 2015-05-04 12:30:48 +1000
Seepa , 2213  /  signed 2015-05-04 11:30:01 +1000
"I’m a 14 year old girl. For someone, especially a male to blame the women in this sexual assault is idiotic. What are we supposed to do? Stay at home like damsel’s in distress? Let the men do everything for us? Walking alone is not an invitation to sex-crazed males. Maybe the mayor should do something to prevent violence against women."
Marg , 20171  /  signed 2015-05-04 10:55:56 +1000
Mary , 2780  /  signed 2015-05-04 10:51:26 +1000
Barry , 2064  /  signed 2015-05-04 09:58:10 +1000
"Let us hope he, as Mayor, does more than apologise."
Catherine , 2564  /  signed 2015-05-04 09:55:50 +1000
K , 2039  /  signed 2015-05-04 09:28:08 +1000
← Previous  1  2  3  4  5  6  7  8  9    23  24  Next →