Rape and Murder of Jill Meagher a Warning to Women

The rape and murder of Jill Meagher has police in Adelaide warning their young residents about being safe (even though the crime occurred in Melbourne). It seems that there is a growing number of sexual assaults in the area and in light of this attack it's important for young women to not put themselves in vulnerable positions like Jill did. Walking home alone after a night of drinking isn't a good idea when predators could be lurking anywhere. It's unfortunate that Meagher died the way she did for this warning to be of any relevance.

The weekend will soon be underway and it's easy to fall into the familiar habits of stumbling about in darkened streets after a night of pub-hopping, but the latest events have shown how dangerous it is.

A vigil attracted more than 100 people who laid flowers and other mementos in front of the bridal store where CCTV footage captured the woman talking to the man who allegedly abducted her. Her story captivated people across the entire world, so it's fitting that so many people would show up in the area around Sydney Road to pay their respects.

Here's to hoping the family of Jill Meagher can heal and move on after this horrible tragedy. The trial of the man responsible for her rape and murder is facing trial, and hopefully he faces a very stiff form of justice.

Comments: 8

Amanda Roddy Sep 28, 2012, 5:22pm UTC

This is horrible and I hope in no way anyone blames the victim. She was young and vulnerable; just enjoying herself. Prevention may reduce your risk but doesn't stop crime. But it is better to err on the side of caution if that makes sense.

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Victoria Strike Sep 30, 2012, 4:41am UTC

A warning to women? Why is it not a warning to men NOT TO RAPE WOMEN. God almighty, her death should be more than a cautionary tale. Women shouldn't have to be more careful, men should control themselves and not rape. What her death is, I would hope, is a reminder for us to look after each other. To step in when we see a woman being bothered by a man. To take care of each other, and most of all, to remind men that violence against women will not be tolerated. Not now, not ever. I hate that you think this is a warning to women. You diminish everything that people marched for today, and you reinforce misogynist thinking. Shame on you.

Chelsea Hoffman Sep 30, 2012, 4:50am UTC

splendid overreaction and displacement of the point

the fact of the matter is that "warning men not to rape" isn't going to change the fact that women are going to continue to be victimized by sexual sadists and predators regardless of any warnings men receive or threats of strict punishments. That's why women need to be aware of the dangers, need to be warned, and need to be prepared and read to care for themselves and defend themselves.

I could say "shame on you" for condoning the concept that women shouldn't be aware or alert to defend themselves...but I think that goes without saying.

Thanks for reading!

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Victoria Strike Sep 30, 2012, 5:05am UTC

Nice try. But I think that you're the one missing the point. I don't know a woman alive who's not aware of the risk. But to tell women it's not okay to have a few drinks with her friends, and then walk home on a route she's walked a thousand times just perpetuates the idea that it's the victim who's to blame. Let's get one thing straight. Jill Meagher was utterly blameless in what happened to her. My point was that we need to take better care of each other. There were a lot of people around that night, and not one of them stopped to ask if she was okay. No one responded to her screams and, according to the press, a "local" took her handbag, then put it back when they saw the media about the case. We need to change the culture, so that men realise it's not okay to hassle women who are walking alone. That when she tells you to leave her alone when she's in a bar, that you should leave her alone. Yes, there will always be predators and mentally ill folk who commit these crimes, but if just one person had stopped to check in with her, this could have had a very different ending.

Chelsea Hoffman Sep 30, 2012, 5:20am UTC

Who said she was being blamed? Just because her story is an example for women to be more aware and careful doesn't mean she's to blame.

There are predators. That's a cold and inevitable fact in the world we live in. This article is what it is -- it isn't an article about educating men about the merits of not raping women. I think that's a totally different topic that is a bit more unrealistic than women being warned about the dangers of the streets they walk when alone.

Your point is valid, that we all need to take care of each other -- but it's also a topic of its own that has nothing to do with whether or not a woman is aware. It's a factor, not a replacement, as you're trying to push it off to be.

0_o

Also, it should be pointed out that nowhere in this article does it say that women shouldn't have a few drinks or enjoy themselves in any way. I think you're reading into this what you want whether it's there or not, and that only makes this about you -- and it's not.

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Victoria Strike Sep 30, 2012, 5:23am UTC

Nah. It's not about me. I didn't think it was. It's about Jill, and what happened to her. I sincerely hope that this will change the way people view violent crime against women, at least in the short term. But I firmly believe that making her story a cautionary tale does her an injustice, and diminishes what little good may come from her awful story.

Chelsea Hoffman Sep 30, 2012, 5:27am UTC

I don't think her story will stop predators from being predators. Sorry.

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Victoria Strike Sep 30, 2012, 5:28am UTC

*facepalm*

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Rape and Murder of Jill Meagher a Warning to Women

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