It’s been a while since I’ve seen a headline that actually made me gasp. But here it is. 

Perth Now reported that a man allegedly entered a woman’s home after she refused to let him in. The court was told he sat on her, grabbed her arms and breasts, then bit her on the nipple. She allegedly punched him in the stomach in an effort to escape and he bit her on the nipple again. 

He was charged with aggravated serious criminal trespass, aggravated indecent assault, two counts of indecent assault and basic assault.

What view of sexual assault do you need to have to call this an attempt to “seduce” a woman? How is allegedly entering someone’s home against their will, sitting on them, grabbing them and biting them while they try to escape a “seduction”? How can anyone think of it or write about it as anything other than a violent and terrifying assault? 

There are times when I wonder whether FixedIt is almost done. There are much fewer egregious headlines about men’s violence against women now than when I started this project in 2014 and sometime I think maybe it is fixed now. Then this happens. 

This in an inexcusable, ignorant, inaccurate, unethical, and stupid headline. Whoever wrote it should be deeply ashamed. 

FixedIt is an ongoing project to push back against the media’s constant erasure of violent men and blaming of innocent victims. If you would like to help fund it – even $5 a month makes a big difference – please consider becoming a Patron

1800 RESPECT
Sexual assault, domestic and family violence counselling and support.
24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 
Ph: 1800 737 732
www.1800respect.org.au

Suicide Call Back Service
24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Ph: 1300 659 467
www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au

Kids Helpline
24 hours a day, 7 days a week.
Phone: 1800 55 1800
www.kidshelp.com.au

Men’s Referral Service
Support for men who use violence and abuse.
7 days a week
Ph: 1300 766 491
https://ntv.org.au/get-help/

Books by Jane Gilmore

Fairy Tale Princesses Will Kill Your Children

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