September 28, 2012
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changed
It's devastating news to hear that a woman walking home at 1.30am (yes it's a tad late), doing what she's done probably a dozen times before.. couldn't get home safely.
There's no real wonder that it's been the talking point for the last week for many Victorians considering that many of us have either done this before- walked home, walked to our cars, walked to the local shops... even at that hour. If not us, then our friends, our daughters, our nieces, our cousins, aunts, mothers at some stage in our lives. It's something that REAL women do... and most of us, including me would have never had thought twice about it. I know Jill Meagher didn't either.
Of course, there have been times, when we have been sensible and realized "hey i've parked my car in a really dingy dark area" and might need someone to accompany you, but most of the times- Melbourne is a relatively safe area to be. Safe enough for a girl to walk 700metres back home that is..
For the action of one man, it has now instilled fear in most women, including myself. How the hell am I to know if there is a sicko out there who would hurt me? It never occurred to me before but now... it has. You can never be sure.
It's not to say I would never go out again, but I will never walk alone in any Melbourne street after dark alone.. EVER...
It's a shame that one man has been able to make someone like me feel afraid, but then, what can I do? Cannot change the fact I am now more acutely aware of sex depraved psychopaths prying on women out there.
It's not just me, the sentiment is the same. My dad today discussed of his complete and utter disgust over this vile man who did such a heinous crime. His belief other than executing him was that I am not to walk alone at night. In fact, he would prefer it that I carried with me some kind of pepper spray and have it handy when walking alone, because that just might save me from a crazy person. I think he would have some peace of mind if I decided to just start some martial arts class because i think that's more legal and some people deserve an ass whooping.
Even my partner was horrified, he told me had tried to put himself in Tom Meagher's (Jill's husband) shoes and found himself unable to comprehend how calm and collected the man was. I, too probably wouldn't be half as calm. I think personally I would have already tried to kill the guy by now.
and now... all of Melbourne are brought together to mourn...
