Woman recounts 'intimidating' car park experience in local Woolworths

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.


compressed-jeannine baird.jpeg
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.
Key Takeaways

  • Sydney local Jeannine Baird reported a disturbing encounter with a group of young men who harassed her in a Woolworths car park, highlighting issues of intimidation and safety for women.
  • Social justice campaigner Janine Hendry discusses the behaviour as a manifestation of men seeking power over women, emphasising that it is a power and control issue.
  • White Ribbon Australia CEO Melissa Perry condemned the intimidating behaviour and called for men and boys to develop healthy masculinity and stand up against misogyny and sexism.
  • The incident sparked online discussions about male entitlement and the necessity for society to work towards ensuring women's safety.
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.
 
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Back in the 50's girls took a wolf whistle as a compliment and my wife used to just smile and keep walking. I think this woman is paranoid.
Wow. Victim shaming. Times have changed and it is no longer tolerated. You are soo out of touch.
 
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So sad to see these men are still living in an age where women could be seen as objects. These are people who are going about their own business and do not need to be harassed
 
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So sad to see these men are still living in an age where women could be seen as objects. These are people who are going about their own business and do not need to be harassed
they were not objects. to the males (tradies) it was just a bit of nonsensical fun. we as females thought the same. BUT nowadays no one can have the fun we had in the 50's 60's. Females today are so precious that they are plain stupid.
 
Back in the 50's girls took a wolf whistle as a compliment and my wife used to just smile and keep walking. I think this woman is paranoid.
Not necessarily paranoid. Back in the 50s it was a very different world when men did not assault women just for the fun of it. Women may have taken it as a compliment then but not now with assaults and, worse still, the murder of women because a man cannot perhaps have his way with her, being an every day thing and so prevalent. There is not one day goes by without murder, assault, robbery, arson etc.

I do not go anywhere without my husband now and I dread the day he is no longer with me to protect me and I have to do everything alone. Women are a part of the human race, as are men - white, brown, black, of any nationality, size, rich or poor or anything else. Every human being needs to be respected -REGARDLESS. The woman in this article is not paranoid. She is a person like you and me. So get your head right, Oaklegs and don’t be so rude and one sided in your thinking. It makes us women hate people of your ilk who think we are a piece of s**t.
 
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Not necessarily paranoid. Back in the 50s it was a very different world when men did not assault women just for the fun of it. Women may have taken it as a compliment then but not now with assaults and, worse still, the murder of women because a man cannot perhaps have his way with her, being an every day thing and so prevalent. There is not one day goes by without murder, assault, robbery, arson etc.

I do not go anywhere without my husband now and I dread the day he is no longer with me to protect me and I have to do everything alone. Women are a part of the human race, as are men - white, brown, black, of any nationality, size, rich or poor or anything else. Every human being needs to be respected -REGARDLESS. The woman in this article is not paranoid. She is a person like you and me. So get your head right, Oaklegs and don’t be so rude and one sided in your thinking. It makes us women hate people of your ilk who think we are a piece of s**t.
we are totally aware of what it is today, we are back in the 50's where most were flirtacious all in fun. Please, so help me can you please get your head right and do not be so rightious. as to respect, some need to earn it.
 
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Sorry Jeannine Baird, in your case, you should be appreciative of a wolf whistle.

Meanwhile, a 60 year old woman murdered her husband in Epping, Sydney by bashing him to death with a hammer. Hardly a whimper from the media.

If the roles were reversed, we wouldn't hear the end of it.
Why are you defending a bunch of bored punks roaming the street at night, deliberately attempting to frighten a grown woman because she was alone? This is ABUSIVE behaviour. Abusive behaviour is always antisocial, unpleasant, offensive, objectionable and harmful. What part of that don't you understand?
 
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I think maybe the boys should all go to Specsavers.
That is such a lame and puerile thing to say. shame on you! You'd be among the first to complain if a group of yobbos were hanging around near your front door!
 
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You are just hearing from the Relics from the past. Certainly their pappy and grand-pappy would be proud of ‘em!
Scrooge McDuck and the ‘Ghosts of Christmas Past’! Skeletons rattling in the closets me thinks!
 
Sorry Jeannine Baird, in your case, you should be appreciative of a wolf whistle.

Meanwhile, a 60 year old woman murdered her husband in Epping, Sydney by bashing him to death with a hammer. Hardly a whimper from the media.

If the roles were reversed, we wouldn't hear the end of it.
In SA in some cases under special circumstances families effected by an incident can contact SA Police Media and ask that no details are given. Others in the family don't want the alleged's name etc broadcast because of other peoples' attitudes towards them
 

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