An Australian woman criticized a group of young people who repeatedly catcalled her as she walked alone to her car after a concert.
Jeannine Baird said the group made a “deliberate attempt to intimidate a lone woman” at Cronulla Mall in Sydney’s south.
In an open letter, she said she was walking through a dimly lit Woolworths car park after a recent Brass Monkey concert when the group attacked her.
‘I was completely covered, wearing a hat and a scarf (over my clothing). She was wearing jeans and low-heeled shoes. “I have gray and curly hair,” she wrote on Facebook.
Ms Baird also posted a photo of herself so that “no one blames me or tries to imply that I was somehow inciting you to behave that way.”
Jeannine Baird (pictured) said a group of youths made a “deliberate attempt to intimidate a lone woman” at Cronulla Mall in Sydney’s south.
He then reported the matter to Sutherland Police in the hope that CCTV would reveal their identities.
Baird said she hopes other women who have similar experiences feel brave enough to come forward.
“The more we denounce their attempts to embarrass or scare us, the more ridiculous and cowardly their behavior will become,” he said.
‘Women have the right to feel safe, in any context in which we find ourselves. On the streets, in places, in our homes, schools, churches and clubs.’
She also addressed the men who made her feel uncomfortable with their boos.
“I pray that your mothers, sisters, and future girlfriends, wives, and daughters never experience anything like this, or worse, and that you will be able to speak up in the future when one of your peers decides it’s fun to whistle at a lonely woman.” , when you are in the safety of your crowd,” Ms. Baird wrote.
Social media users thanked the brave woman for speaking out.
—Very perfectly said. “I’m sorry you were put in this situation, thank you for standing up for yourself and all women,” one person said.
‘I pray that one day a post like this never has to be repeated, because we have all learned to live with respect for each other and their right to feel safe.’
“As a mother of a son, I hope he NEVER behaves like this,” wrote another.
“No woman should feel scared or intimidated in our country walking alone,” one person said.
Social justice activist Janine Hendry, who founded the March4Justice movement, said the problem is that men go out of their way to assert their dominance over women by intimidating them.
He said some young people learn this kind behavior from their peers or family environment, explaining that they often “incite each other” thinking it is fun without considering the consequences.
‘This happened quite late at night…they are making a woman not feel safe in her own space. “It’s about controlling how people feel, and it arises when men feel very helpless in another area of their life,” Ms Hendry said. yahoo.
At least 35 women have been allegedly murdered by men in Australia this year
At least 33 women have reportedly been murdered by men so far this year.
Melissa Perry, CEO of White Ribbon Australia, said there is no place for bullying or predatory behavior in our society and women have the right to feel safe at any time of the day or night.
He said the events Baird described speak to the sense of male entitlement that allows male violence to flourish.
She also said that men had to be part of the solution to ending gender-based violence, and that they could do so by making it clear that sexism is not okay.
“This is not new, but the rise of so-called online influencers like Andrew Tate is filling the gap in the narrative because ‘good men’ are failing to stand up for themselves and call out misogyny, harassment and sexism in “See it,” said Mrs. Perry.
“Domestic homicide or sexual assault are extreme, but incidents like this, where a group of men make derogatory comments toward a woman, reinforce harmful attitudes and behaviors.”