IT’S hard to imagine anyone finding sexual assault funny.
As one of the most hideous offences, victims of such crime are often scarred for life by their experiences at the hands of perpetrators.
And it is a crime.
Whether it’s sustained abuse at the hands of someone with a duty of care as we have seen recently with the Katanning Hostel case, or a teenager riding around groping women and saying revolting things to them, it’s illegal.
And with good reason.
Victims of sexual abuse have for too long been told by too many to cop it sweet, shut up, and get on with their lives.
Women, especially, are told not to dress provocatively, not to discuss their sex lives and not ever to appear to be ‘easy’, like it’s their fault if or when they get sexually assaulted.
Enough is enough.
When people are having a laugh about an alleged 'serial sex pest' in the Mandurah area – and they are – riding around on a BMX bike targeting women, we can’t stay silent.
If it was your wife, daughter, sister or friend who was confronted by this person would you still be laughing?
Ask anyone who has ever been made to feel like dirt because of sexual assault and they will tell you it’s just not funny.
We’re certainly not laughing, anyway.
The Mandurah Mail is urging people to stay on the lookout for anyone in the community who poses a sexual – or otherwise – threat to the public.
It’s our community duty to be aware of what’s going on.
Anyone with information about any kind of abuse is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
EDITOR'S NOTE - The boy alleged to have indecently assaulted woman in the local area has handed himself in. See related story.