Following the assault, Albury Mayor Kevin Mack told The ABC that the event was a tragedy, and that the crime occurred in a normally busy part of town.
"We'll endeavour to do what we can as a council to ensure our areas, our footways and the parks are well lit and give people that sense that they feel safe," Mr Mack said.
"I always have encouraged women not to walk alone, to have someone with them at all times, because that in itself is an invitation for someone to take advantage of you," he said.
The men were seen by witnesses running along Dean Street, and the 17-year-old was taken to Albury Base Hospital after contacting police, 9News reported.
Police said they are treating the incident as isolated and random and are hoping witnesses will come forward.
Emergency services were alerted and officers from Albury Local Area Command attended and established a crime scene which was examined by specialist officers.
"The incident occurred in the main street, in a busy area, at 6.20 at night, so some member of the public may have seen or heard something," Inspector Scott Russell said.
He said the girl was traumatised, but had no lasting physical injuries.
The comments by Mr Mack have come under fire from social media users and women's right activists for 'victim blaming'.
"The comments from the mayor reinforce rape myths that women are responsible for stopping rape. Women can't stop rape, men need to decide to stop raping women," Collective Shout spokesperson Melinda Liszewski told Daily Mail Australia.
"He hasn't addressed the perpetrators of the crimes, they have completely disappeared from the dialogue...we are telling women to avoid sexual assault rather than saying men should stop assaulting women," she said.
Ms Lisewski said that Mr Mack, as a man in a position of authority, should have used the opportunity to take a stand and to inform other men that the behaviour was not acceptable.
"He has the responsibility to choose his words carefully and to use the opportunity to speak to the perpetrators of the crime and not blame the woman for the assault that has occured," she said.
"As long as we avoid holding men accountable they will continue to get away with it. It's an injustice to blame the victim- she needs support and justice and doesn't need further salt to the wounds by the suggestion that she is responsible."
Social media users were quick to condemn the mayor's comments, denying that walking alone is an "invitation for someone to take advantage of you".
"Very disturbing. Not just the crime but that Albury mayor Kevin Mack is telling women to go into hiding #rapeculture" tweeted one user.
"Albury Mayor Kevin Mack women walking alone is irrelevant. Men raping is the problem," tweeted another.
Other Twitter users took offense at the suggestion that women needed a chaperone when walking after dark.
"I have a medical appointment in Albury tomorrow and I'm unchapheroned. Seriously tempted tell the mayor he must escort me," said another.
Ms Lizsewski said that the mayor's comments were "misguided and upsetting".
"The victim was just walking home, is she not allowed to walk home? To say that she shouldn't walk alone its not an option for many women," she said.
"The suggestion is that we need chaperones and that we're responsible for preventing men from sexually assaulting us."
Police continue to seek the men wanted in association with the 17-year-old's assault, and have released images of the men along with detailed descriptions of their appearances.
The first man is described as being of Caucasian appearance, between 180cm and 185cm tall, aged in his early to mid 20s, with dark mid-length hair and a slim muscular build. He was wearing a dark hooded jacket, tan-coloured jeans and maroon shoes.
The second man is also of Caucasian appearance and between 180cm and 185cm tall, with a solid build and light hair. He was wearing a dark hooded jacket, grey tracksuit pants and black lace-up shoes.
The third man is also of Caucasian appearance and between 180cm and 185cm tall, aged in his mid to late 20s, with a slim build and gaunt facial features. Police have been told the man had poor oral hygiene and was wearing a pale-blue hooded jacket with white print, black jeans and camouflaged shoes.
Police are urging anyone with information in relation to this incident to call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or use the Crime Stoppers online reporting page.
- Daily Mail
