Victoria's chief homicide detective has backtracked his controversial comments that women should not be alone in parks following the stabbing death of a teenager out for an evening walk.
Masa Vukotic, 17, went out for a walk in a local Melbourne park just before 7pm on Tuesday night. The schoolgirl was stabbed and later found dead by police officers.
According to The Age, Detective inspector Mick Hughes told ABC radio on Thursday morning, "we just need to be a little more careful".
"I suggest to people, particularly females, they shouldn't be alone in parks. Jog with a friend, make sure your family know your route, exercise in daylight if you can," he said.
After a man turned himself in later in the day, Detective Hughes was asked whether it was now safe for women to be alone in suburban parks.
We've never actually said that. We've said you need to be aware of your circumstances. We've encouraged people to walk together, females to walk together.But if you're by yourself you just need to be aware of your circumstances, take reasonable precautions. I think it's a travesty that we have to do that. We should be able to walk anywhere at any time but reality says we can't.
The comments angered people who wanted to send a message to Victorian police that a warning should not be given to women... but rather the men who are committing the crimes.
I just posted this on the @VictoriaPolice FB page because I'm that angry & disappointed by their victim-blaming.
Let's be clear. Walking alone in parks doesn't kill women. Wearing headphones doesn't kill women. Murderers kill women.
They shouldn't tell women to avoid parks and headphones and walking alone. They should tell women not to be women.
What we need @VictoriaPolice is MORE women in parks, not less. More women, all hours of the day & night.
The Australian's social media editor also found an advice section on Victoria Police's website. It contains this suggestion for women to stay safe.
This is an actual piece of advice from the @VictoriaPolice website.
And it furthered angered those who were frustrated with the police warnings.
Cops say women shd "fake a male housemate" to prevent attacks. Actual facts show women more likely to be attacked by men they live w/.
Well @VictoriaPolice, when 1 woman a week is murdered by her partner, will you be advising women to stay away from their homes, workplaces?
And the team at SBS comedy came up with a helpful warning of their own for all women out there.
Police Commissioner Admits Only Safe Place For Women Is A Man-Proof Vault http://t.co/IHGtPmo0WH