Woman recounts 'intimidating' car park experience in local Woolworths
- Replies 37
Shopping for essentials should be a normal experience for everyone.
However, a woman's routine trip to the supermarket turned into a harrowing ordeal.
Since then, her experience sparked conversations about women's safety and gender-based harassment in Australia.
Jeannine Baird's experience in a dimly lit Woolworths car park was a stark reminder of women's challenges, even in seemingly safe public spaces.
Baird's encounter with a group of young men, who subjected her to whistling and catcalling, was not just a personal violation but a symptom of a much larger societal problem.
Baird detailed the incident in an open letter she posted on social media.
'I am under no illusions that my dress or physical attributes caused you to behave that way,' Baird wrote.
'I was completely covered, wearing a hat and scarf (over my outfit). I had on jeans and low-block heeled shoes. I have greying, frizzy hair. Nobody will blame me or attempt to imply I was somehow enticing you to behave that way.'
After reaching her car, she circled back to have a 'motherly conversation' with the men, only for them to disappear.
Undeterred, Baird reported the incident to Sutherland Police, hoping that CCTV footage might help identify the culprits.
Her actions were a powerful call to women to stand up and report similar experiences, reinforcing the right to feel safe.
She also ended her letter with, 'I pray your mums, sisters, and future girlfriends, wives and daughters never experience anything like this.'
Social justice campaigner and March4Justice founder Janine Hendry interpreted such behaviour as a quest for power over women.
'For some young men, it's learned behaviour, socialised behaviour from their peers or family,' she shared.
'Ultimately, as with sexual assault, it's about power. Young men egg each other on. It's social behaviour; someone in the group has decided it's funny. They are not thinking through the consequences.'
The statistics are alarming: in Australia alone, 35 women were allegedly killed by men this year.
'They do not see it as abuse or the precursor to sexual violence,' Hendry said.
Melissa Perry, CEO of White Ribbon Australia, echoed these sentiments, saying there is no place for such predatory behaviour in our society.
'White Ribbon Australia supports men and boys in developing healthy masculinity and positive, supportive relationships with their male peers,' Perry shared.
The incident in the Woolworths car park is a microcosm of the broader issue of misogyny and sexism that persists in our culture.
It's a reminder that derogatory comments and sexist language are not harmless—they reinforce damaging attitudes and behaviours.
Men must be part of the solution, standing up against such actions and language and making it clear that they are unacceptable.
The outpouring of support for Baird in the comments on her Facebook post reflected a collective desire for change.
Parents expressed hope that their sons will never perpetrate such behaviour, and many thank Baird for her courage in speaking out.
As members, we understand the importance of feeling secure in our communities.
We've seen societal shifts over the decades, and we must continue to advocate for a world where everyone, regardless of gender or age, can walk through a car park or any space without fear.
If you or someone you know is affected by sexual assault or domestic violence, please reach out for support. You can call 1800RESPECT at 1800 737 732 or visit their website at 1800RESPECT.org.au.
However, a woman's routine trip to the supermarket turned into a harrowing ordeal.
Since then, her experience sparked conversations about women's safety and gender-based harassment in Australia.
Jeannine Baird's experience in a dimly lit Woolworths car park was a stark reminder of women's challenges, even in seemingly safe public spaces.
Baird's encounter with a group of young men, who subjected her to whistling and catcalling, was not just a personal violation but a symptom of a much larger societal problem.
Baird detailed the incident in an open letter she posted on social media.
'I am under no illusions that my dress or physical attributes caused you to behave that way,' Baird wrote.
Jeannine Baird came from a Brass Monkeys concert before she encountered the unidentified men in a Woolworths' car park. Image Credits: Facebook/Jeannine Baird
'I was completely covered, wearing a hat and scarf (over my outfit). I had on jeans and low-block heeled shoes. I have greying, frizzy hair. Nobody will blame me or attempt to imply I was somehow enticing you to behave that way.'
After reaching her car, she circled back to have a 'motherly conversation' with the men, only for them to disappear.
Undeterred, Baird reported the incident to Sutherland Police, hoping that CCTV footage might help identify the culprits.
Her actions were a powerful call to women to stand up and report similar experiences, reinforcing the right to feel safe.
She also ended her letter with, 'I pray your mums, sisters, and future girlfriends, wives and daughters never experience anything like this.'
Social justice campaigner and March4Justice founder Janine Hendry interpreted such behaviour as a quest for power over women.
'For some young men, it's learned behaviour, socialised behaviour from their peers or family,' she shared.
'Ultimately, as with sexual assault, it's about power. Young men egg each other on. It's social behaviour; someone in the group has decided it's funny. They are not thinking through the consequences.'
The statistics are alarming: in Australia alone, 35 women were allegedly killed by men this year.
'They do not see it as abuse or the precursor to sexual violence,' Hendry said.
Melissa Perry, CEO of White Ribbon Australia, echoed these sentiments, saying there is no place for such predatory behaviour in our society.
'White Ribbon Australia supports men and boys in developing healthy masculinity and positive, supportive relationships with their male peers,' Perry shared.
The incident in the Woolworths car park is a microcosm of the broader issue of misogyny and sexism that persists in our culture.
It's a reminder that derogatory comments and sexist language are not harmless—they reinforce damaging attitudes and behaviours.
Men must be part of the solution, standing up against such actions and language and making it clear that they are unacceptable.
The outpouring of support for Baird in the comments on her Facebook post reflected a collective desire for change.
Parents expressed hope that their sons will never perpetrate such behaviour, and many thank Baird for her courage in speaking out.
As members, we understand the importance of feeling secure in our communities.
We've seen societal shifts over the decades, and we must continue to advocate for a world where everyone, regardless of gender or age, can walk through a car park or any space without fear.
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