Vandals deface floral tribute to comedian killed on walk home
THOUSANDS of people have gathered in Australia to pay tribute to Eurydice Dixon, the comedian who was killed in an inner-city park, triggering a plea by Malcolm Turnbull, the prime minister, to “change the hearts of men”.
However, hours before a vigil in Melbourne for the 22-year-old, who was killed last week while walking home from a stand-up show, vandals defaced the grass around a floral memorial for her in the park where she died.
“I’m genuinely disgusted that this happens in our society and that we have created a culture where this is funny. It is absolutely galling,” Megan Bridger-darling, who organised the vigil, told ABC News.
Ms Dixon was allegedly raped and murdered shortly after telling her boyfriend in a text message: “I’m almost home safe. HBU [how about you]?” Her body was later found in Princes Park, about half a mile from her home.
Jaymes Todd, a 19-year-old man who apparently did not know Ms Dixon, has been charged with rape and murder.
Mr Turnbull paid tribute to Ms Dixon in parliament, saying the “heartbreaking tragedy” highlighted the need to develop a culture of respect for women.
“What we must do as we grieve is ensure that we change the hearts of men to respect women,” he said. “Women must be safe everywhere. On the street, walking through a park, in their homes, at work.”
Bill Shorten, the opposition leader, said Ms Dixon was “just living her life” and bore no responsibility for her own death. “Walking home should not mean that you are risking your life,” he said. “It’s about deciding as a nation that violence against women is ultimately preventable. It’s about the example that we set for our sons.”
Ms Dixon’s death came six years after the rape and murder of Jill Meagher, a 29-year-old Irish woman who was also attacked while walking in inner-city Melbourne.
Police responded to the killing of Ms Dixon last week by calling for people to “stay safe” and were widely criticised for suggesting that women bore responsibility for attacks against them.
Graham Ashton, the chief commissioner of Victoria Police, admitted that officers should have been more careful with their language.
“We weren’t about victim blaming and we certainly agree that women, and men for that matter, should have the right to walk around these public spaces when they want to walk around them, and do so safely,” he said.
Vigils were held across Australia on Monday night to remember Ms Dixon.
Melbourne’s town hall was lit up in orange, the colour used by the United Nations to promote an end to violence against women. About 5,000 people attended a silent vigil at Princes Park, where the floodlights were switched off for 30 minutes to allow the crowd to reflect on Ms Dixon’s death.