Julia Hartley-Brewer claims Chrissie Hynde has offended the Sisterhood. What Sisterhood?
Like the Siren, Banshee and other female mythical monsters, this notion of a “Sisterhood” is a myth.
By saying what she thinks, Chrissie Hynde may have offended some feminists. So what? Many others used Hynde’s comments as an opportunity to debate the issue.
In my view, the focus should be on the behaviour of the rapist, not the victim.
We don’t say to people, “stay off the roads after midnight in case a drunk driver crashes into you”. Instead we say to those who drink: “Don’t drink then drive”.
Taking offence is a technique used to silence debate. There is nothing more offensive than that.
First published as a letter to The Age on 4 September 2015
