Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has issued a statement after the alleged rape and murder of 22-year-old Melbourne woman Eurydice Dixon, saying our nation’s culture of violence against women will not end until we stop blaming victims for the crimes committed against them.
The message comes after women first drew attention to remarks from Victoria Police Detective Inspector Andrew Stamper.
In a Thursday press conference discussing Dixon’s death, Inspector Stamper said “people need to be aware of their own personal security and just be mindful of their surroundings.”
That statement drew criticism, with many arguing it ignored the fact women already exist in a state of vigilance due to the very real threat of physical and sexual assault by men.
Dixon was found dead in Princes Park in Carlton North, hours after walking home from the city centre on Tuesday night. It was later revealed that Dixon sent a text message to a friend shortly before her death, saying “I’m almost home safe, HBU”.
Andrews echoed the women who first raised their concerns, saying “Eurydice died because of her attacker’s decisions – not because of her own.”
The Premier added that questions like “Why was she alone in the dark?” only serve to draw focus from the intentions and actions of those who perpetrate violence against women.
“We’ll keep ignoring the real problem, instead of actually fixing it,” Andrews said.
“So our message to Victorian women is this: Stay home. Or don’t. Go out with friends at night. Or don’t. Go about your day exactly as you intend, on your terms. Because women don’t need to change their behaviour. Men do.”
The Reclaim Princes Park vigil will be held on Monday, with the stated goals of honouring Dixon’s life and reasserting the right of women to inhabit public spaces without the fear of violence.
Speaking to 3AW this morning, vigil organiser Pia Cerveri said “the message goes out to anybody out there who currently doesn’t hold the view that women are entitled to be safe – let them see that people are serious in the community about taking the space.”
Broadmeadows man Jaymes Todd, 19, was yesterday charged with one count of rape and one count of murder in relation to Dixon’s death. He was remanded in custody, and is slated to appear before court on October 3.
This article discusses sexual assault. If you would like to talk to a counsellor about rape, sexual assault or domestic violence, give the people over at 1800 RESPECT a call on 1800 737 732.
