Address sex abuse at a national level
THE past few weeks have seen some extremely dark revelations emerge from what should be the most stable, trusted institutions in our society.
Stories from our churches, our Defence, our parliament and our schools.
Stories of trust that was misplaced, of innocence lost, stories that were disbelieved, and stories that have been held onto and worn like an invisible, leaden cloak of silent shame, forever altering the wearer.
These stories of predatory priests, trusted teachers, workmates in uniform and entitled schoolboys might not have affected you personally, but recent revelations from a variety of victims will have dredged up unavoidable memories for many in our midst.
Grace Tame, the 26 year-old rape survivor, instigator of the #Letherspeak campaign and Australian of the Year, spoke at the National Press Club this week.
You could have heard a pin drop as she detailed her harrowing experience of being a 15-year-old recovering anorexic groomed by a trusted, 58-year-old teacher.
In her speech, Tame revealed a statistic that should answer the many online comments asking: “Why did the victim wait so long to come forward?”
“On average, it takes 23.9 years for survivors of child sexual abuse to be able to speak about their experiences,” she said.
“Such is the success of predators at instilling fear and self-doubt in the minds of their targets.”
Those 20 or more years might have started with the victim telling a disbelieving parent, relative, teacher or boss.
Any number of years of depression, guilt and shame might follow, with the victim questioning whether somehow it was their fault.
Then there might be years of self-destructive behaviours, alcohol, drugs, or self-harm; PTSD or mental illness may emerge, and if those years are survived – and that’s a big “if” – it might take another few years to find the strength to trust enough to once again confide in someone close, like a good friend or a partner.
With statistics suggesting only 8 per cent of sexual assaults are reported to police, even fewer make it to court, and under 3 per cent result in a conviction, it’s clear
that the trauma involved in reliving the experience and the despicable defence practice of discrediting alleged victims are huge deterrents.
Our prime minister had to speak with his wife and think of his daughters on how to feel about rape, and the Australian Defence Force chief, General Angus Campbell, thought it helpful to advise cadets to avoid sexual predators by avoiding the “four As: alcohol, out after midnight, alone and attractive”.
How about shifting the focus to rapists, not raping?
We’ve discovered Parliament House is like many small businesses, where staff are hired by their bosses and have no HR person or central agency through which they can report abuse or inappropriate behaviour, and that sexual abuse is also rife in underfunded nursing homes and between schoolkids, with hundreds of schoolgirls logging their experiences of sexual assault through an online portal.
We need national workplace health and safety guidelines that include sexual harassment, national guidelines for consent, and the dismantled national sexual assault and counselling hotline, 1800 RESPECT, resurrected.
Now.
Big shout out and well done to Mendi for sponsorship for the Northern Rays. A company that’s willing to support local sport and other groups. So girls it’s time to sting. STEPHEN R WEST END
Jenny, it’s not a good look standing between Anna’s man child and the three stooges. Your meeting confirms none of you care about the crime in the Ville just your own insecurities. AL 4813 Re. Mayor’s threat. How can an inept mayor and council threaten our great Phillip Thompson? They couldn’t even get a pipeline finished before the last city council election as promised by our mayor. If the developers want to build there, then they can supply the infrastructure, not our tax or ratepayers! This council has been caught out before, look at the state of the place. It looks dirty and unkempt. Wake up Jenny, you’re on the way out.
MAYA, ROSSLEA
Brett Geiszler letter once again says the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth. So extremely sad that Harper hasn’t got the guts to listen and understand what we, the people of Townsville, are saying. Harper, you
My son had a GPS tracker on and he would get phone calls from the parole board on a weekly basis asking him to go outside because they could not find a signal, so how good are these GPSES? were elected (how I am still wondering) to represent us in parliament. You have failed us for 6 years. For the sake of each of us DO SOMETHING, show you have something upstairs!!!! JJ4814 Brett Geiszler you aren’t the only one to suffer the loss of a loved one. Anger is one of the many emotions you will go through dealing with your grief. It’s time you stopped your
0416 905 531
public display of anger and blame towards one particular person, the local MP Aaron Harper. He is not personally responsible for the death of Jen and I see your public display, here and on social media – quite disturbing. Please stop. It will affect your health. Believe me, I know. EZ, RASMUSSEN
Why does the council allow the uncontrolled breeding of feral cats in the drains at Domain that harass and kill the native birds like curlew chicks? Instead of wasting money on white elephants like the shed on Castle Hill, do something useful and start a trapping programme. MG 4814
Congratulations Premier, like Retired Brigadier Stuart Smith and his recommendations on youth crime, your changes to the youth justice laws have been a resounding success, for at least the car thieves. REB KELSO
I wholeheartedly agree with the decision handed down by the Supreme Court not to force Dean Webber to give verbal testimony. When the horrific drunken home invasion occurred he was only a teenager, barely out of school. He is suffering from PTSD and probably will never lead a normal life. While I feel for the two families who lost their loved ones, I also feel for young Dean and his family. S RASMUSSEN
Dear Jenny, here even overprotective mothers do not threaten to shank people. You are a civic leader, not some mafia goon. JEAN PIMLICO 37
WAYNE H 4814
THIS week marks 25 years since
John Howard won the 1996 election.
Over 11 and a half years, the Coalition government worked to deliver security, prosperity and opportunity in the interests of all Australians.
With responsible financial management, Labor’s deficits were reversed, Australia’s AAA credit rating was restored, $96bn in debt was repaid and Australia’s Future Fund was established. The strong economy inherited by the Rudd Labor government was a major reason why Australia avoided the worst consequences of the Global Financial Crisis of 2008.
Groundbreaking tax reforms replaced outdated indirect taxes and substantial income tax relief provided workers with real incentive and reward for effort.
Compulsory unionism was abolished and workers were provided with more choice.
Waterfront reforms lifted crane rates by around 60 per cent. The establishment of the Australian Building and Construction Commission tackled lawlessness on building sites.
With a more modern workplace relations system, industrial disputes were reduced to their lowest level in over three decades.
From 1996 to 2007, more than
2.2 million jobs were created.
The government halved average inflation and saw interest rates reduced to the levels of the 1960s.
Although strong economic management is part of the Liberal Party’s DNA, a strong economy is not an end in itself.
Rather, a strong economy is the means to delivering more opportunities, security and happiness for the Australian people.
With a stronger economy, the government was able to substantially increase funding for services Australians rely on, such as health and education.
A sensible balance was achieved, by supporting and expanding the choices of families who seek private health insurance, or for their children
to be educated at independent schools.
To keep Australians safe, Howard invested heavily in our Defence and security capability and worked with allies to meet the challenges following September 11 and the Bali bombings.
Following a great Australian tradition, our Townsville Defence and security personnel brought peace and independence to East Timor and delivered greater stability within our region.
Following the Port Arthur massacre in 1996, strong action was taken to implement the National Firearms Agreement.
Since then, the rate of gun deaths and homicides has fallen by around two-thirds.
After 11 and a half years in government, Australia found itself
more prosperous, secure and confident in its future.
Enormous credit belongs to the team, including Peter Costello as treasurer, Alexander Downer as foreign minister, and Tim Fischer, John Anderson and Mark Vaile as deputy prime ministers.
I am incredibly grateful to have served in the Howard government.
For everything I have achieved in politics, I owe a great debt to the people of Townsville and to the Liberal Party of Australia.
Ours is a great cause.
We are a broad church, as custodians of both the liberal and conservative traditions.
We tackle the challenges of our time, while defending traditions and institutions that have stood the test of time.
Our approach to government is both principled and pragmatic.
This approach can also be seen in the outstanding way Prime Minister Scott Morrison and his team have led Australia through this global pandemic.
With both health and economic outcomes, Australia has performed better than almost any country in the world.
While there is still a long road ahead on our path to recovery, I am confident Australia will, to use the prime minister’s words, emerge “stronger, safer and together”.
Thank you once again for your support over the years to make a very real difference to Australia’s future. HON PETER LINDSAY OAM,
Annandale.
NO NEED FOR RAMBOS
I could not resist writing this after seeing the brilliant picture and article in the Bulletin on Tuesday of Hinchinbrook MP Nick Dametto posing on a river (creek) bank, rifle with telescope in hands, ready to blast a croc out of the water.
He has taken it upon himself to become the safeguarder of the public, their children and (free of leads) pets on beaches without the fear of being taken.
So with rifle and telescope in hands, Rambo waits to blast a croc out of the water.
Good riddance to a killer beast? There are professional rangers who are responsible for any action that needs to be taken without the interference of any person, regardless of who they are.
I spent many years working in Arnhem Land in NT, where crocs grow to over 16 feet and are known to take fishermen out of their dinghies, by chomping on the dinghy.
I have seen tourists walking with their dogs along croc-infested waterholes. On occasion, I saw disaster happen. Dogs and humans of all sizes are considered delicacies by crocs.
Not so long ago we had a similar tragedy when a local area man fishing from a small tinnie in the channel failed to return. His tinnie was found empty. Those waters (I have fished them) are the habitat of huge crocs.
Recently one was also seen on the beach at Cardwell.
Use your common sense and stay safe. I have very large crocs in the river behind where I live.
COLIN LT EASDON-SMITH, Ingham.
PRESERVE OUR HISTORY
With regards to Tony Raggatt’s article about the new home for the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority (TB, 02/03), a couple of observations need to be aired.
Firstly, the area bounded by Wickham Street, The Strand, Kings Street and Flinders Street is where the first white settlement of Townsville occurred. This is evidenced by a survey carried out in 1865 with maps being drawn in 1867.
The area has significant cultural and historical significance.
I believe the ground below the car park in Flinders Street (behind the Criterion Hotel) would contain important archaeological treasures from our history.
Secondly, and more concerning, is the reference beside the photo in the article to “10 the Strand” – the site of the Criterion Hotel still sitting on death row as a result of a decision by the Townsville City Council and inaction by the state government.
So, the question that must be asked is: “Is the site of the Criterion Hotel part of a federally funded project for the construction of new headquarters for GBRMPA?”
I would hate to think that our tax dollars are being used as part of the destruction of one of our most important historical buildings.