While not wishing to make comment on the current furore engulfing the Launceston City Council it is a timely reminder that Tasmania is yet to acknowledge that the patriarchy is real and that it continues to exert undue influence over women and children in our society.

One has only to look at the day to day exchanges on the floor of the Tasmanian Parliament to see the entitled patriarchy in action.

When working in major public hospitals I repeatedly saw highly gendered conflicts that saw the male-dominated medical staff at odds with women, and on occasion this resulted in young women being monstered. The most disappointing aspect was that too often this was enabled by women in leadership roles who sided with men in powerful positions. In effect they ‘went along to get along’ !

In my dealings with the many victim-survivors of child sexual abuse I am struck by the sense that the patriarchal mindset in some ways fuels our tolerance of this abuse. Lurking behind the platitudes and apologies sits a ‘boys will be boys’ attitude that seeks to excuse sexual ‘indiscretions’ while discounting the lifelong harms inflicted on children and youth.

The Tasmanian Commission of Inquiry into Child Sexual Abuse in Government Institutions has provided an historical inflection point where we can either lean into a better future rather than ‘flailing in reverse’ back toward a past dominated by the entitled patriarchy and their sycophants.

Its up to us! Next time you pass a LOUDfence consider tying a ribbon to give a voice to a child silenced when experiencing child sexual abuse.

Important Disclaimer: This post in no way alleges or in any way infers the involvement of specific individuals in child sexual abuse.

Boys will be held accountable, as we should!