MEDIA STATEMENT

Women’s Electoral Lobby stands with reporter Ashleigh Raper

SYDNEY 8 November 2018 - The Women’s Electoral Lobby (WEL) NSW WEL NSW condemns NSW Labor Leader Luke Foley’s alleged assault and attack of ABC reporter Ashleigh Raper.

WEL NSW Convenor Philippa Hall said, “Women should never have to consider being assaulted or disrespected in their workplace, or in any area of our community.

"WEL acknowledges Ashleigh Raper’s courage in making a public statement about an incident that women should never experience. 

“We stand by Ms Raper who in her own statement says "....women should be able to go about their professional lives and socialise without being subject to this sort of behaviour. And I want it to stop." 

WEL calls for this matter to be discussed respectfully and in a way that supports women who speak out against sexual assault.

“Political leaders are not held to a higher standard. They are held to the high standards of the community - that no woman regardless of who she is, where she comes from, or who she works for, should be subject to disrespect or any form of assault or violence.”

“We call on the NSW Labor party to commence an immediate workplace investigation of this incident, and encourage the community to lend their support to Ashleigh Raper during this period,” said Ms Hall. 

Political parties and Australia’s democratic system need strong and respectful leaders who are committed to building communities based on respect and inclusion.

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Available for comment: Philippa Hall – M: 0466 273 308 E: [email protected]

About Women’s Electoral Lobby (WEL) NSW: Women’s Electoral Lobby is an independent, non-party political feminist lobby group that for over 45 years has worked tirelessly to improve the position of women in society.