Note: this article discusses sexual assault.
“Mum, why hasn’t the prime minister said anything about all those school girls being raped and sexually assaulted?’’
This is a question, from a teenager, which highlights just how out-of-touch and politically-motivated Scott Morrison has become.
Children don’t vote. They attend climate change protests, and are told to go back to school. They pen letters that aren’t answered, and write blogs that no one reads.
So far Morrison and his government have been able to get away with that. But this is different. Thousands — thousands — of school girls and former school girls have now penned gut-wrenching tales of rape and sexual assault, in a movement that will only grow louder.
This is a national issue that demands leadership. And it has highlighted, in spectacular fashion, the vacuum in that leadership that now exists in Canberra.
Is it only because teen girls don’t vote? Is it because Morrison doesn’t believe the horrid stories that are now the subject of crisis meetings at private schools across Australia? Or is it that he has no idea of how to address this unfolding tragedy, in a week when we should be celebrating International Women’s Day.
Workplace culture is important. So is the truth behind the Christian Porter affair. Both need to be addressed. But surely, thousands of young women claiming they have been subject to sexual abuse, by male peers, warrants action too. Urgent action.
This is one of the saddest weeks I can remember as a journalist — made more difficult by being a mother of two teen girls.
What can you say, other than the fact that what is happening is so wrong? That the nation’s leadership is ignoring this is an indictment on our leaders — not the brave girls who are now speaking their truth.
These girls are our future leaders. Our teachers. Our doctors. Our nurses. Our economists and money market managers and radiographers. They are our MPs, too, and perhaps there’s a prime minister among them also. God, I hope so.
But what are they learning from the inaction on their complaints now?
That, despite their enormous courage in speaking out, they are ignored? Victim blamed? The subject of complaints about youth and alcohol and youth and parties and youth and whatever?
What is unfolding in Australia is a disgrace. But it’s also a turning point: girls and young women are stepping out from behind the shadow of the shame imposed by others. They have latched on to a moment, led by Chanel Contos, and have a renewed determination to be heard and believed.
Schools have been grappling with this silently for years. School principals know that most Monday mornings bring horror and heartbreak, aided and abetted by the silence that surrounds it. They embrace their charges, and try and pick up the pieces.
And yet are our principals being listened to in this debate? Of course not.
This week, we have seen dozens of school principals — particularly of big girls’ schools — applaud the courage and conviction of their students and former students speaking out.
We’ve also seen a handful of boys’ schools decide to learn from this too, reminding their parent communities that we all need to listen to these young women. Some boys’ schools are now asking parents whether they would agree to consent lessons much earlier and pleading with parents to talk about the issue at home too.
And then there are other schools, more worried about their branding. They remain silent. Or they are seeking media advice in case they are “caught up” in the crossfire.
That’s where the problem lies here. Silence is the cancer. Inaction causes it to spread. That’s the lesson Grace Tame and Brittany Higgins and Chanel Contos and every other young woman, using her voice now, is delivering.
They deserve to be heard by every one of us. And they deserve a prime minister who does the job he was elected to do.
This cancer is destroying the future and lives of so many young women. Not one or two. Not dozens. But thousands.
Survivors of abuse can find support by calling Bravehearts at 1800 272 831 or the Blue Knot Foundation at 1300 657 380. The Kids Helpline is 1800 55 1800.
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault or violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au.
This is a question, from a teenager, which highlights just how out-of-touch and politically-motivated Scott Morrison has become.
Morrison has been out of touch and motivated only by politics for a long time. This is not new. The issue of sexual assault has made it harder for the media to overlook the PMs motivations and approach.
The PM’s rejecting the premise of the question, deciding whose questions he will answer (you’ve had a turn Andrew) and turning on his heel and walking away when there are questions he chooses not to answer has been one constant of his time as PM. Much of the msm has let him off the hook too often and now ordinary people have taken over.
Morrison is intellectually bereft, morally bankrupt, ethically corrupt.. An emblematic mediocrity of the times, that have taken 30 odd yrs of social/political/economic planning, to fester into middle mainstream centrist respectable normalcy..
He’s also a policy bludger. As Hewson noted recently, he’s not a builder, he’s a manager. The only thing he works hard at is his image and staying in power.
I share your suspicion that Mr Morrison, if not actually “intellectually bereft”, often finds himself out of his depth. He can’t answer straight questions, or complex questions, because he doesn’t have any answers. As a consequence he ducks and weaves and plays the “what about him/them card”. And it’s understandable,, Our PM doesn’t need to rigorously examine or study issues because he has an ironclad ideology – dare I call it faith? – that informs him that he is simply “right”.
And 60% of voters reckon he’s doing a great job. Poor fella my country.
“…which highlights just how out-of-touch and politically-motivated Scott Morrison has become…”
Correction required:
“…which highlights just how out-of-touch and politically-motivated Scott Morrison has always been…”
“And then there are other schools, more worried about their branding. They remain silent.”
This points to the crux of the problem with the private school sector. These are businesses operating for profit, often claimed to be charity. They pursue their vested interest, and unfortunately, due to a combination of government funding with few enforceable strings attached, and the funding of the wealthy and privileged, they tip the scales of power to offer a leg up to the often mediocre. Their brand is vital – they don’t want truth to get in the way of that.
I think the basic problem for Scott Morrison is that he doesn’t have any plans. Apparently with his background in Sales and Marketing, he is more used to following a sales brochure, than actually formulating any management ideas. Goodness knows there are enough books on the subject. I find it hard to realize just how a man of 52? can reach this level without any idea of what to do. A common problem when a sales person is promoted to managerial level. I found this out over some 25 years employing such people. There are many great sales people who reached high management levels and performed with distinction. But this parliament is not full of them.
Rhonda from Utopia said it best: “I don’t want to build it, I want to launch it”
I can’t remember what pretend infrastructure they taking the p*ss out of but I think that sums up Scummo’s ‘leadership’
When you see everything (apart from your Christian faith) through the lens of marketing and politics, what hope do you have of empathising with real people?
Maybe he does see his religion through marketing and politics. Doesn’t he subscribe to the ‘gospel of wealth is god’s blessing’ ?
Guaranteed that Matthew 19:24 is not part of his reading.
Hey, I had a much cherished down vote here last night!
Why was it taken away?
Its what happens when Jesus meets Amway.
I’ve noticed that very conservative and religious males seem to have a problem in talking about matters of rape, sexuality,”womens issues”, paedophilia and so many matters that used to be never mentioned in any conversations. Even heavy drinkers and alcoholics weren’t named as such. Thankfully, this becoming rare and the courage shown by so many people and of all ages is astounding. Parliamentarians and others in positions of power – whether in politics, corporations,.religious and education institutions, the especially privileged professions and sports stars need to realise that however slowly it has been happening, things are changing.and the impetus of change is only going to increase.