Australian of the Year Grace Tame has rebuked the nation’s top military officer for suggesting first-year cadets should avoid being attractive or alone to stop sexual predators.
Defence chief Angus Campbell told the trainee officers to avoid the “four As” – alcohol, out after midnight, alone and attractive.
Ms Tame, who is a sexual assault survivor and advocate, criticised the remarks after making a powerful speech about her experience.
“I’m not judge, jury and executioner, but that’s not helpful rhetoric at all,” she told the National Press Club on Wednesday.
“That feeds the idea that this is something that a victim has to foresee and stop themselves, as if they’re to blame. That is really unhelpful.”
Sexual assault survivor groups and the federal opposition also condemned the chief of defence’s address to first-year cadets, first reported by The Canberra Times.
Labor leader Anthony Albanese said the focus should be on changing the behaviour of men rather than women.
“Sexual violence is a scourge in our community and men have to take responsibility for changing their action,” he told reporters in NSW.
“In terms of leadership, right throughout the community, people should feel safe.”
He said people should be able to go out at night and have fun on an equal basis.
Opposition frontbencher Kristina Keneally said General Campbell’s comments implied women were responsible for avoiding rapes.
“Let’s be clear – women are never responsible for not being raped. Men are responsible for not raping women,” she told Sky News.
Senator Keneally urged the chief of defence to reflect on his statements and consider improving his communication.
“It’s clumsy language,” she said.
In a statement to The Canberra Times, Defence defended General Campbell’s remarks.
“In his recent address to the new cohort of ADFA trainee officers, the CDF noted matters in the media regarding allegations of sexual harassment and assault,” it said.
“In his view, being aware of the four As – young attractive people, noting the entire class fell into this risk factor, alcohol, after midnight and alone – enabled the group to recognise and mitigate the threat posed by abusive or predatory individuals.”
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, you can call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit http://1800RESPECT.org.au. Readers seeking support with mental health can contact Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636. More information is available at http://Beyondblue.org.au.
