A woman who was groped at New Zealand’s Rhythm and Vines festival on New Year’s Eve has organised a protest march for women’s rights after receiving abuse following the incident.
Madeline Anello-Kitzmiller was minding her own business with a friend at the festival when a man ran up behind her and groped her breasts.
She and her pal strode over to the man who assaulted her and hit him, while her friend poured her drink over him.
You can watch the video below.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bda2wG_gr4m/
People flocked to support Madeline online when the video went viral, however she was also the victim of much abuse, with trolls telling her she deserved it as she was topless (with her chest painted in glitter), and sending death threats.
“People have taken the time out of their day to message me saying that I’m disgusting, that I should be ashamed of myself,” she told 1 News Now.
“Somebody claimed to start a petition that already had 900 signatures to get me deported.
“Just because I’m walking around topless doesn’t mean anyone has the right to touch me.”
The 20-year-old has fought back by arranging A Glittery March for Consent, which is taking place tomorrow (January 28) in Auckland’s Victoria Park.
“On January 28th we are marching in Auckland together, to stand in solidarity with each other and for anyone who has ever been the victim of sexual assault, victim blame, anyone who wants to stand up and say this is my body and these are my rights!” she writes on the event’s Facebook page.
Glitter company Gypsy Fest will be decorating people’s bodies for $15 (£7.79) with ’60-80%’ of the profits going to Bridge the Gap Project, a charity which helps at risk and vulnerable youth through creative programmes.
“Nobody has the right to touch you without your consent,” continues Madeline on the event’s page.
“It does not matter what the circumstance may be, your body is yours, and nobody has the right to take that away from you. It does not matter how you identify your gender or sexuality.
“It does not matter what you are wearing. It does not matter if you changed your mind. No means no.
“If you have ever been the victim, if you have ever been shamed or accused of ‘asking for it’, if you have ever been denied justice, denied respect, denied the rights to your own body – we are marching for you and we want you to march with us!”
The event is taking place tomorrow at 9.30am NZDT.
For more information on fighting sexual harassment at gigs and festivals, visit Girls Against.