Protest against sexist images
By Kylie Budge
MELBOURNE — A noisy and highly visible rally and march here on February 5 protested against sexist and degrading attitudes towards women in the media and in the judicial system.
In particular, protesters were angered by the comments in the South Australian Supreme Court by Justice Bollen during a rape-in-marriage trial in which he validated the use of violence in sexual relationships.
Christy Guest, who has researched information for the Real Rape Law Coalition, spoke about the deep-seated sexism within the legal system and the recent case in NSW where Magistrate Pat O'Shane dismissed the charges against a group of women who were caught writing graffiti on a Berlei underwear billboard.
Lisa Bellair from the Koori Liaison Unit at Melbourne University stated "We will still be in this position in 20 years time if we don't stand up and be counted now". Shelley Marshall, from the Campaign Against Sexual Violence Propaganda, urged all women to boycott companies which use sexist images in their advertising.