Jonty Bush, through a Facebook post published on Thursday night, said she was inspired by women coming forward. Photo / Supplied
Jonty Bush, through a Facebook post published on Thursday night, said she was inspired by women coming forward. Photo / Supplied
A Queensland MP has detailed the sexual assaults she has suffered in a heartbreaking Facebook post, including one that allegedly occurred when she was a minor.
The revelations come in the wake of March 4 Justice and follows an outpouring of similar horrific stories from Sunshine State parliament colleagues of assaults perpetrated against them.
Jonty Bush, through a Facebook post published on Thursday night, said she was inspired by women coming forward and shining a light on a "shadow we can't shake".
Jonty Bush, left, detailed her experiences with sexual harassment and assault. Photo / via Instagram
"We rarely talk about it," she said. "Our shame protects them and imprisons us.
"I stand with the women who are breaking their silence. We all have our stories, here are some of mine."
The Member for Cooper posted that a friend's father gave her vodka at just 16 at a party under the guise of an adult taking an interest in the life of a young woman living out of home.
"I woke up with him on top of me in the early hours of the morning, I froze until he stopped," she said. "I never found the words to tell my friend before she later suicided. I didn't go to her funeral."
During a speaking appearance in Canberra as Young Australian of the Year, Bush said she was invited up to the room of an international speaker much older than her after she asked to swap contact details for professional purposes.
"But when we got there he closed and locked the door behind me, pinned me to the wall and attempted to kiss me," she alleged.
Bush said the abuse extended to a recognised professor she worked alongside, who was "respected, warm, caring, and intelligent," and spoke regularly about family.
"One night while on the road together for work I went to his room to borrow some toothpaste," she said.
"He invited me in, we sat on the couch and talked about the day. The moment was so inconspicuous, so when he turned to me and said 'so, are we going to f*** or what?' I was caught completely off guard both with what he said and with the ease at which he said it.
"The only words I could find was to ask a colleague to never leave me alone with him again."
The Labor MP said the abuse began as a young girl when a male friend attempted to take advantage of her while intoxicated and "tried to put his hand down my jeans", but extends right through her life on a near-daily occurrence.
Jonty Bush is the Labor member for Cooper. Photo / via Instagram
"Wolf whistles, gestures, suggestions," Bush said.
"My experiences are not unique - so many women have these stories. Which is why, when the Prime Minister of our country stands up and essentially says 'nothing to see here' we survivors are so damn triggered."
Scott Morrison was criticised for refusing to attend a March 4 Justice rally earlier this month in Canberra, instead telling parliament similar marches are "met with bullets" elsewhere.
The remarks led to Opposition Leader Anthony Albanese saying the Prime Minister "completely missed the moment".
"They invited every member of parliament to go out and to listen, and I think it would have been good if the Prime Minister had been prepared to do that," he told 6PR Radio.
"They want the doors to be open and for people to be listened to."
Where to get help:
• If it's an emergency and you feel that you or someone else is at risk, call 111. • If you've ever experienced sexual assault or abuse and need to talk to someone call the confidential crisis helpline Safe to Talk on: 0800 044 334 or text 4334. (available 24/7) • Male Survivors Aotearoa offers a range of confidential support at centres across New Zealand - find your closest one here. • Mosaic - Tiaki Tangata: 0800 94 22 94 (available 11am - 8pm) • Alternatively contact your local police station • If you have been abused, remember it's not your fault.
