“Get Raped” — For When She Won’t Shut Up

Some people just don’t like to be argued with, and this guy is one of them.

An aspiring-politician in New Zealand recently told a young woman who questioned his opinions to “get raped.”

The president of the “ACT on Campus” youth party, Cameron Browne, lashed out at Tania Lim on Facebook during a heated debate between a number of people.

But guess what? Browne only wished rape upon one person involved: the one person who was a woman.

It’s pretty self-evident that a comment of this nature is thoroughly despicable, but so too is the fact that Browne refuses to apologize. He says the comment was not something he “meant seriously”, and that those who took offence to his vile sentiments were “seriously overreacting.”

There is no possible reaction that is an overreaction to telling someone to “get raped,” and ACT on Campus’s response to the incident shows a complete ignorance to the severity of the situation.

A spokesman wrote:

• Cameron…made a stupid comment in reply. A few minutes later Cameron apologised unreservedly, explaining that even though he was angry it still wasn’t appropriate…He probably should have told her to “get fucked” instead. Feel free to send us any offensive comments you see from party-affiliated people, and journalists, we expect to see front page articles about each and every one of them.

Saying you didn’t mean it, and that everyone is seriously overreacting is far from an unreserved apology. And suggesting Browne should swap “get raped” to “get fucked” (sarcastic smiley face included) is not clever, funny or right. Tailor-making insults for women to ensure they retain a subtext of sexual intimidation is not on.

Here’s hoping the sentiments of Cameron Browne and his buffoon buddies don’t too strongly reflect the beliefs of the party they represent. ACT holds five seats in the New Zealand parliament, and if this lot are the next generation of MPs, the country is in serious trouble.

Contact the author here: brianna@morningquickie.com