‘I could not walk out my front door’: Kate Jones shares harassment pain

Annastacia Palaszczuk, Kate Jones and Deb Frecklington are the latest female politicians to detail alleged sexual assaults, harassment and fear they have been forced to endure as women.

Today, extraordinary Queensland women speak with one voice, telling The Sunday Mail’s Frances Whiting their stories of sexual harassment, discrimination and abuse.

Here, Queensland Annastacia Palaszczuk, former MP Kate Jones and former opposition leader Deb Frecklington share their experiences.

From harassment as a teenager and being removed from meetings, all are told with courage and honesty, in the hope of sparking change, and all can be summed up with one word. Enough.

It is time for respect.

Deb Frecklington, former LNP leader

“I refused to let him grope me so I was sacked at Christmas”

So many women who have gone before us have worked incredibly hard to stand up for what is right.

I applaud and commend all the women who are sharing their experiences and raising awareness about sexual harassment.

Former opposition leader Deb Frecklington. Picture: Mark Cranitch.

I was reflecting on a speech I made in 2014 which sadly makes me think that things haven’t changed as much as we would like.

I talked about my experience serving on a committee where I was the only female member. It was during a meeting of this committee that a group of men from a large business visited to provide a briefing.

Their first words were “Hello gentlemen” – as I truly believe they thought I was the secretary taking notes. I answered back “and ladies”. There was no apology or acknowledgement.

However that experience was one that made me realise I had to be a part of helping to shape change. I hope that my time as the first female leader of the LNP has helped other women see that women can achieve and we can lead.

Women feel strongly about this issue, no matter what their political persuasion. This is an important moment to bring this issue into the spotlight and highlight that this behaviour is not OK.

Years ago, when I was working in London as a backpacker, I worked in a large hotel as a waitress until I was sacked on Christmas Day when I refused to let the chef grope me each time I went to the kitchen.

The manager told me: “Just put up with it, we can’t change him.”

I left immediately, as it is not OK.

Kate Jones, former government minister

“I could not walk out my door without men calling out at me, ogling and even following me”

Kate Jones. Picture: Nigel Hallett

When I was 20 years old in my last year of university, I had a breast reduction.

From when I was 15 years of age, I could not walk out my front door without men calling out at me, ogling me and even following me. It was a daily occurrence.

Just walking down the Queen Street Mall I was approached to work in strip clubs and pornography with promises of big money.

I was still at school.

I was groped by colleagues, taxi drivers, driving instructors, customers and strangers.

Once I had completed school and was a little older it just got worse and more brazen.

Having the operation gave me the opportunity to be seen and heard as a person for the first time. It was truly liberating.

That’s why when I started my first ministerial office job at 21, with my new-found confidence, I was gutted when an older and more senior advisor who worked for another Minister, started sexually harassing me.

I felt betrayed that this was happening even in government. That even in this professional environment which should be the benchmark that I couldn’t count on this behaviour being in my past.

I realised it would instead be very much a part of my future that I would have to continue to cope with like so many other women.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk. Picture: Adam Head

Annastacia Palaszczuk, Premier of Queensland

“He crushed my hand … I still have pain”

My experiences are small when I compare them with the stories women including my colleagues have told this week, or that I have heard. I want to applaud all women for having the courage to speak out.

These are real issues for women’s safety in the workplace, in the home and safety in the community. We have made real progress over the years but more needs to be done. Respect is essential but these voices of women will bring about change – creating a better place for future generations.

Here are some of my own experiences.

In 2018, I was at a function surrounded by dignitaries, and a man offered a handshake to me.

He crushed my hand, and he made no apology even when I said “You’re crushing my hand”.

I had to go to another room because I was in so much pain.

Later, X-rays revealed the damage that had been done. I spent weeks with my hand in brace receiving treatment for torn ligaments.

I still have pain from it to this day.

When I was at university I had a job at Expo. On Saturday nights, I’d finish at about 11 and catch the bus back to campus.

It should have been a safe place and for most men at the time, it was – they could walk through the Great Court with confidence.

It was so dark and no one had mobile phones.

I remember being so worried I would run from the bus to my room as fast as I could.

I wasn’t the only one.

I campaigned with a group of other female students to call on the university to install more lights around campus.

I recall another time I was at a meeting with a room full of men.

I was pointed at and asked to leave.

I was the only woman in the room.

It was humiliating.

Shortly thereafter I was given an apology but by then it was too late.

The damage was done.

That moment has always stuck with me.