RATHER than reflect deeply on one of the most memorable speeches in parliament – perhaps ever – Member for Macalister Melissa McMahon chose one sentence of wisdom.
“While we think of the female experience as universal, the reality is that every woman has a different story, her own herstory,” she said ahead of International Women’s Day.
The line uses 2023’s International Women’s Day theme of Embrace Equity to express the importance of understanding that every woman’s experience is unique and the support and encouragement they are given must consider this.
Nine months ago, Ms McMahon stood in parliament, telling colleagues of a harrowing experience which took her to some incredible low points.
In reasoning for her leave of absence, she bravely promised to make everyone listening very uncomfortable.
After sharing her own story of sexual assault and a dark battle with depression, she had stunned an audience into deep thought.
“I will recover loudly so others don’t die quietly – because we feel powerless when those we love become victims of sexual assault,” she said.
The details of Ms McMahon’s speech are well documented and don’t bear repeating, only to say she asked nine months ago for time to recover with her family.
International Women’s Day tomorrow focuses heavily on sexual assault.
Queensland Sexual Assault Network statistics show one in five women have been sexually assaulted or threatened since the age of 15.
One in two women have experienced sexual harassment and in 2019 – from the latest survey – there were 4859 recorded victims of sexual assault, an increase for the eighth year in a row.
However, the Australian Bureau of Statistics estimates that 75% of sexual assaults are never reported.
For help and support, please contact Lifeline 131 114, Beyond Blue 1300 224 636, or the National Sexual Assault, Domestic and Family Violence Counselling Service on 1800 737 732.
