3 days ago
Hundreds join solidarity walk in support for woman attacked while running on Canberra trail
Hundreds of walkers have taken to a popular bush trail in Canberra in solidarity with a woman who was attacked on a run.
The 59-year-old was grabbed from behind and assaulted at the Mulligan's Flat Nature Reserve in Bonner last Monday.
Police said she was choked, struck in the head and knocked to the ground before her phone was stolen.
Her alleged attacker, a 15-year-old boy, was arrested a short time later and charged with a string of offences.
The incident sparked an outpouring of anger and frustration, raising concerns about women's safety on Canberra's running trails.
Solidarity walk organiser Melanie Lloyd said the community wanted to reclaim the track and show support for the victim after the "unspeakable" attack.
"She is a strong, stoic, beautiful human being who didn't deserve this," Ms Lloyd said.
Many of the hundreds of walkers wore pink, which is the woman's favourite colour.
The 59-year-old victim had recently moved to Canberra from England after being told it was a safe place to live and retire.
Ms Lloyd said women should feel free to exercise in open spaces without fear.
"We are already vigilant, we already watch where we go, when we go," she said.
"We can't go out before it's light, we can't go out after dark, we watch what we wear.
"Even when we're vigilant, these events happen."
Sissy Austin flew from Victoria to attend the walk and to show the victim she was not alone.
Ms Austin launched the Take Back the Track movement earlier this year, after her own experience of being violently attacked while running.
"Being out on beautiful country, it's our meditation, it's our happy place, it's self-care," she said.
Ms Austin said the incident should give men pause to reflect on themselves and the behaviour of their male peers.
ACT Senator Katy Gallagher, who attended the walk, said it was crucial to combat negative attitudes towards women from a young age.
"We have to make sure that the ACT government and the Commonwealth government work together on this violence epidemic we're seeing," Senator Gallagher said.
Canberra local Christine Wheeler said she was buoyed by the turnout at the walk.
"I want my boys to have respectful relationships, and I want my daughter to live in a world where she can exercise comfortably," she said.
"It's hard to not let the fear grab hold, but we need to make sure that it doesn't."
