Lisa Wilkinson Has Delivered A Heartbreaking Monologue Following Eurydice Dixon’s Death
"Instead of telling our girls not to walk through parks, maybe we should be telling our boys not to rape them."
The Project‘s Lisa Wilkinson has delivered a heartbreaking monologue following the alleged rape and murder of 22-year-old Eurydice Dixon, with the veteran journalist calling on law enforcement to reevaluate the advice they give to women concerning their safety.
Police came under fire this week for advising women to exercise caution after Dixon was found dead in Melbourne’s Princes Park on Wednesday morning. Holding back tears, Wilkinson argued that it is men, not women, who need to change their behaviour.
“Every day, women are told how to behave, what to wear, and where to go for their safety,” she said. “There’s so much advice, so many rules, around what she should do and what she shouldn’t. It’s hard to keep track of just how we’re supposed to keep ourselves safe.”
“Don’t go out at night, don’t walk alone, don’t wear short skirts, don’t draw attention to yourself, don’t find yourself near strange men.”
“Already this year, 31 women in Australia have been murdered. All but three of those were allegedly killed by male perpetrators. Women killed at the hands of violent men. Yet it’s women who are being asked to change their behaviour.”
“I have huge sympathy for the police,” Wilkinson added. “They’re tasked with the impossible job of keeping us all safe, so of course they’re going to say anything they can to do that.”
“The problem with giving this advice is that it keeps that one woman safe at the expense of all women’s right to move freely.”
When young men are tragically killed in one punch attacks an entire city has it’s nightlife shut down indefinitely. When a young woman is brutally raped and murdered women are told to ‘take responsibility for their own safety’.
— Elly Baxter (@ellybaxterpr) June 14, 2018
“The best way to prevent this crime and keep all women safe isn’t by changing the behaviour of women, but by changing the behaviour of men.”
“This might upset some people, but honestly, parents, instead of telling our girls not to walk through parks, maybe we should be telling our boys not to rape them.”
You can watch Wilkinson’s entire monologue below.
As another young life is cut short, @Lisa_Wilkinson ask if it’s time for the advice around women’s safety to change. #TheProjectTV pic.twitter.com/ifiXRLHdTr
— The Project (@theprojecttv) June 15, 2018
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If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.
Men can access anonymous confidential telephone counselling to help to stop using violent and controlling behaviour through the Men’s Referral Service on 1300 766 491.