Liz Wylie: No excuse for sexual assault at Rhythm and Vines festival

Madeline Anello-Kitzmiller, the woman who had her breast groped at the Rhythm and Vines festival on New Year's Eve, has become a household name during the past week.

As she strolled topless through the crowd, her breasts decorated with body paint, a young man snuck up behind her and put his hand on her chest before scurrying back to his mates who no doubt dared him to do it.

The act was caught on video and so was Anello-Kitzmiller's reaction – she followed him and delivered a few smacks to his head and shoulders while her friend tipped a drink over him.

Katie Ashworth, 18, and Madeline Anello-Kitzmiller, 20, had glitter painted on their breasts at the rhythm and Vines Festival.

The woman who filmed the episode shared it on social media and reactions have been swift and plentiful.

Many commentators (including some women) blamed Anello-Kitzmiller saying that the baring of her breasts provoked the assault on her person.

She has since posted a very eloquent video response on her Facebook page thanking her many supporters and responding to her detractors.

"A human's body is their own, and nobody has a right to touch you without your consent, regardless of what they're wearing," she said.

And what of the young man who assaulted her?

One might suppose that he is deeply ashamed that his furtive action was caught on camera and shared with millions.

Despite the views of those who would exonerate him and blame his victim, I hope he finds that view insulting.

He should feel insulted because he is not a creature governed by uncontrollable impulses – he is a human capable of rational thought and compassion.

Compassion should have prevented him from touching his fellow human without her consent.

He may enjoy the prospect of a woman creeping up behind him and groping his body but he should have realised that his victim would not welcome such an advance.

Nudity and semi-nudity at music festivals has been a thing for around five decades now and uninhibited, body-confident people should be able to walk about at these events unmolested.