It's not a Blokesworld after all

It is no coincidence that the continuing depersonalising of sex and the rise of an industry which profits from the sexual degradation of women has brought with it a rise in sexual harassment, sexual molestation and sex crimes against women.

Blokesworld increases sexual danger for women. It contributes to what experts in the field of sexual abuse called “permission giving beliefs” - beliefs that say it’s OK to treat women like meat, that women want to be ogled at, that women even want to be raped.

An estimated 1.2 million women over the age of 15 - 1 in 6 - have experienced or been threatened with sexual violence.

One in four girls will be sexually abused in this country this year. There has been a 29 per cent increase in sexual assault between 1999 and 2003. (Queensland has the second highest sex crime rate in the country.)

It is especially disconcerting for women, in light of this wave of violent sex crimes to read in the promo blurb for Blokesworld: “What you need is a little ‘me’ time … when was the last time you were allowed to look at purely bloke stuff … bikes, guns, knives etc … the sort of things that you are really interested in …”

This combination of semi-clad women, porn promotion, binge drinking and guns and knives is a mix which threatens all women.

Blokesworld organisers hope the event will be something men will pass down to their sons, and their son’s sons, as though perving is a legacy to be proud of. This mentality helps ensure future generations of women will continue to be preyed upon by men who don’t see them as whole women worthy of respect, but as fresh on demand. Our daughters become mere sexual fodder.

Blokesworld is a celebration of the maltreatment of women. It reinforces their subordinate role as receptacles for male lust. Women are not sex toys. They deserve better than sleaze.

Events that encourage men to behave like wind-up maniacs can only further hurt women and are unfair to the men who do value and respect women.

Blokesworld makes it seem like this is what manhood is about - but real men don’t act this way. A culture of mutual respect and equality cannot become a reality if we allow a culture of sleaze to flourish.