Opinion: Selective outrage as some alleged sex crimes more palatable than others

There is a long tradition in comfortable Western societies of looking the other way when it comes to the treatment of women in some Muslim-dominated countries, writes Mike O’Connor.

We have by now all been transfixed, bewildered, confused, concerned or bored witless by the Brittany Higgins-Bruce Lehrmann saga.

It has become a national soap opera with a cast that includes politicians, media figures, high-profile lawyers and the payment of large sums of taxpayers’ money in what could most kindly be described as less-than-transparent circumstances.

The unproven allegations that have been made attracted the widely publicised support of feminist groups in this country, as have similar allegations made internationally, often involving personalities in the entertainment industry, as is their right.

There have been street marches, protests and strident denunciations of crimes, either proven or otherwise, against women which have attracted wide media coverage.

I have felt at times, and I know that I am not alone in holding this view, that too often they wield a broad brush and direct their fury, be it genuine or confected, at all men which the vast majority of us who would never countenance violence against women and would go to any lengths to protect the women in our lives find offensive.

If as a movement you are going to be taken seriously in supporting a particular cause, you have to be consistent. You can’t just pick on a particular issue and march up and down the street banging drums and shouting slogans regarding a “he said, she said” case that is the talk of the chai latte set while ignoring less palatable, inconvenient truths.

Brittany Higgins with partner David Shiraz

This, surely, is self-evident so why has the feminist movement both here and overseas averted its gaze and offered nothing but a deathly silence in protest at the truly horrifying sexual crimes been perpetrated against Jewish women by Hamas members in Gaza?

Where are the street marches, the protest gatherings, the impassioned speeches of denunciation made before the television cameras as members of the sisterhood stand shoulder to shoulder in condemning the systemic brutality against women which is some cases all but defies description?

It has, however, been described by witnesses of the events which followed in the wake of the Hamas attack on the Nova music festival. They have spoken in graphic detail of the violent gang rapes, sexual mutilations and beheadings of women and young girls, and of attacks so violent that victims’ pelvises appeared to have been broken. Too strong for you? Not the sort of issue to be discussed over espresso and croissants?

There’s more, lots more, descriptions too terrible to be repeated here.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has condemned international women’s and human rights organisations for their silence on the issue, and he’s right. “Where the hell are you?” he asked.

In its defence, Hamas has said that the reports of mass rape and torture were “Zionist campaigns which promote unfounded lies and allegations to demonise the Palestinian resistance”.

A pro-Palestinian rally in central London

I was in Melbourne last week, ground zero for anti-Semitism in this country, where convoys of pro-Palestinian men cruise through predominantly Jewish communities hurling rocks, insults and obscenities, and where Jewish university students have been told that they might be safer sitting for their exams at home, and where pro-Palestinian protesters invaded a hotel where the families of Israelis kidnapped or killed by Hamas were staying.

While I was waiting for a tram I watched as a man draped in a Palestinian flag stood in the middle of the tram tracks while a convoy of cars blasted its horns and the drivers shook their fists and shouted slogans. I couldn’t hear what they were saying over the cacophony, but I’ve an idea they weren’t protesting in favour of women’s rights.

There is a long tradition in comfortable Western societies of looking the other way when it comes to the treatment of women in some Muslim-dominated countries.

After all, one doesn’t want to be accused of Islamophobia.

It’s much easier to cherrypick a high-profile court case and posture in the reflected glare of the media frenzy.

If women’s groups protest the atrocities and agonies inflicted on women in Gaza and take a stand, then I will march with them, and I would reckon I would not be the only man to do so.

It’s all a matter of being fair dinkum. Otherwise, what’s the point?