At the heart of The Examiner’s Hands Off campaign is a goal to make every person feel safe and respected.
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The next five weeks will see us tackle the topic of sexual assault and the attitudes that allow them, through a series of articles.
On the surface, women form the majority of victims of sexual assault.
But its effects go further. It creeps and seeps into the fabric of the community.
Obviously, the victims are the foremost affected by these despicable acts. It doesn’t stop there. Family members, friends, feel the frustration and the anger, too.
It fractures our cities and societies, it besmirches what are meant to be times of celebration and enjoyment.
It makes women think twice about walking alone at night. And it casts a shadow on men, because of the acts of just a few.
Some men have voiced their concern that they dare not walk too closely behind a lone woman, for fear of making her uncomfortable.
That is how bad the epidemic is. That even those who have done nothing wrong feel tainted by the same dirty brush.
Women have taken the first step in stamping out sexual assault, by reporting it, and calling it out.
For too long, victims have let it slide, and kept it to themselves.
Five brave women have reported being sexually assaulted at the recent Marion Bay Falls Festival, to police.
Their bravery has formed a rallying point. Police, festival organisers, and bands have added their voices to the chorus.
A Launceston band that performed at the festival applauded the women, and called out the perpetrators, in a social media post.
“As men, fathers and humans we are disgusted, appalled and furious that this behaviour continues to happen and be tolerated in this country,” The Bad Dad Orchestra said, via Facebook.
“Don't stay silent and naive. Call out this behaviour wherever you see or hear of it. Speak to your sons, speak to your mates. This behaviour is unacceptable and must end! “
The way forward to creating a society without sexual assault, where everyone feels safe and respected, is two fold.
Victims must feel empowered and supported to report the crimes committed against them. And all members of the community must take a stand, and call out unacceptable behaviour when they see it.
