Senator Sarah Hanson-Young has denied using the term "slut-shaming" to describe David Leyonhjelm's attacks on her in order to drown out anything he was saying. She defined the term as meaning "using a person's sexual activities or presumed sexual activities as a weapon", disagreeing with the QC's suggestion that it was not widely used in Australia at the time. In the material, he elaborated on his comment to her on the floor of parliament to "stop shagging men" amid a debate on legislation seeking to prevent violence against women.
She says the material portrayed her as a hypocrite and misandrist, in that he stated she used words in parliament that were "tantamount" to claiming all men are rapists but "nevertheless had sexual relations with them". Senator Hanson-Young has told the court she did not use those words, which would be an "absurd" statement. Mr Leyonhjelm contends any reputation damage arose from her own words when she said "he's slut-shaming me" on July 3, Mr Morris referred Senator Hanson-Young to her book En Garde when she wrote she felt "a sense of relief" when the-then Federal Labor backbencher Emma Husar referred to being a victim of "slut-shaming".
It occurred more often to women in politics than people admitted and having another woman speak about it was important, she said. In disagreeing that "slut-shaming" had not been widely used in mainstream Australia, Senator Hanson-Young said Mr Leyonhejelm has been accused by a reporter of "slut-shaming" her in the earlier 3AW interview. Mr Morris suggested her prospects of getting statements reported were enhanced if "eye-catching" phrases were used rather than common-place, mundane words.
But she denied his suggestion that she used the phrase thinking it would have the effect of "drowning out anything that Senator Leyonhjelm said".
She agreed the term can be used as referring to actual sexual activity, perceived sexual activity or if the person was not engaged in any sexual activity. Home News Latest News. She testified she was relieved Ms Husar could "name" what had happened to her. The hearing continues. Australian Associated Press.
