Media Release
For immediate release
Date: Thursday 15 October
Safe streets at night is a woman's right
ROAR feminist collective condemns the police media response to the sexual
assault of a woman in a Perth inner city suburb on the evening of Friday 9
October. The police have warned women not to walk alone at night, but failed to
comment on the violent and criminal behaviour of the man who committed the
assault.
ROAR spokesperson Lianda Gibson said "it is unacceptable that women are still
being asked to change their behaviour and have their freedom curtailed because
of the disgraceful and violent behaviour of some men.
Police responses such as this perpetuate a culture of fear which leads to women
becoming psychologically imprisoned in their own homes whilst rapists walk the
streets. It contributes to a culture which blames the victims of rape and
sexual assault and questions their right to be in public space at night." she
said.
This response will only make the streets more unsafe for women by reinforcing
that men who rape can control women and take away their right to walk the
streets alone. It is exactly this type of control that these men are seeking
she said.
On the evening of Friday 30 October, women and children will reclaim the streets
of Perth at the annual Reclaim the Night event where women will protest
for their right to walk at night, free from the threat of rape and sexual
violence.
ROAR feminist collective are encouraging women to come out onto the streets to
demand their right to safety at night and in public spaces.
"We demand that men within our community start taking responsibility for ending
this violent culture which sees women regularly sexually harassed, sexually
assaulted and raped on our streets and in our community.
We demand an end to behaviour which inflicts fear and imposes a psychological
curfew on women after dark. We will continue to demand this until the violence
stops." Ms Gibson said.
Women will gather for the Reclaim the Night march at 6.30pm at the Wellington
Street exit of Perth Train Station. The march will proceed through Perth city
to Stirling Gardens for an evening of speeches, live music and stalls starting
at 7.30pm. A children's space, face painting and food will be available.
- Ends -
For further information please contact Lianda Gibson, ROAR Feminist
Collective, 0411 066 595 or Email