Respect ‘not help by women’s clothing’
But relationships and women’s groups are highly critical of the parliamentary speech independent MP Bob Such made in support of tougher rape and sexual offences legislation. Dr Such believes they have misunderstood him if they thought he was blaming women for sexual attacks upon them. He admitted yesterday he had had some abusive calls at his office, but said that, in the main, people were supportive.
Dr Such told the South Australian parliament that respect for women was often not helped by the behaviour of some women . I see women getting around in t-shirts saying ‘Give me a few more drinks and I will do this or that’ and displaying comments drawing attention to their breasts and so on, he told parliament. Some of the women themselves do not help, they actually demean women overall. Dr Such that he believed those types of t-shirts encouraged an element to treat women in a disrespectful way.
The speech caused widespread debate on talkback radio and the internet. Vanessa Swan, director of an Adelaide rape and sex assault service, said Dr Such’s speech was disappointing.