By Pat Stringa
In an emotional press conference yesterday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said it had been a traumatic month for many Australians, as he and the nation were confronted by the issue of violence against women. The Prime Minister said he has been listening to women’s stories, and was horrified that all women “have put up with this rubbish and this crap for their entire lives, as their mothers did, as their grandmothers did”. He said he would continue to listen.
Scott Morrison says he has been listening to women.Credit: Alex Ellinghausen
In recent weeks, we’ve published letters from women recounting their stories of sexual assault, most at a very young age. All those who wrote said they were overwhelmed by the strength and bravery of Grace Tame, Brittany Higgins and the women who had written testimonials in Chanel Contos’ petition. They described this time as one of reckoning, and were grateful they could tell their stories, in support of the younger generation and to hopefully become part of historic change for all women.
Today, we’re inviting our women readers with similar experiences to contribute to a special edition of Letters we hope the Prime Minister, and all those in power, will read. Some of the letters will be published in print on Saturday, and all the letters will be online. Please keep your letters to under 200 words and provide your full name and address. Email them to letters@smh.com.au or use the tipster box below. All letters will be published with “name withheld” for legal reasons.