
Australia is in the middle of an epidemic.
Just days after the brutal rape and murder of Eurydice Dixon, 22, in a Melbourne park, another young woman has been attacked, this time in a park in Junee, near Canberra.
According to a report by Daily Mail, the 19-year-old had just left her friends and was walking through the park at around 1.30am on Saturday, making her way home, when she was set upon and raped.
Speaking to Daily Mail following this latest horrific attack against another woman, police issued a statement advising people to walk home in groups.
It’s just not good enough.
As previously reported by Mamamia, 31 women have been murdered by men in Australia so far this year. And it’s only June.
Meanwhile, we’re only just starting to discuss the prospect of making it legal for women to carry tasers or pepper spray in an effort to try and defend themselves against such senseless attacks.
I know this isn’t something I should be openly admitting, especially given the current legality around it, but I actually do carry pepper spray in my handbag.
And I wouldn’t hesitate to use it if I felt threatened or at risk of being attacked.
In fact, I would recommend all women do the same, regardless of the law, because it’s becoming more and more evident that as women, we are still not safe in this country.
