Calls to dump Liberal candidate over Facebook attack against alleged rape victim

A Liberal candidate said the husband was the "real victim" in response to a woman's account of being raped and abused by her husband.

The Liberal Party is standing by a candidate who told SBS Punjabi's program in 2017 that paedophilia occurred more often in same-sex couples.

The Liberal Party is standing by a candidate who told SBS Punjabi's program in 2017 that paedophilia occurred more often in same-sex couples. Source: SBS News

A Liberal candidate launched an online attack on a woman who detailed her experience of being raped and abused by her husband, saying her partner was the "real victim". 

Liberal candidate for the Victorian seat of Scullin, Gurpal Singh, made the comments in response to an last year. 

In the Facebook post, Mr Singh said he had "no sympathy" for the alleged victim, questioning why she stayed with her partner for so long.
Gurpal Singh is unavailable for media interviews between now and the election according to the Liberal Party.
Gurpal Singh has resigned from the Liberal Party after comments he made stating he had "no sympathy" for a survivor of domestic abuse were revealed. Source: SBS Punjabi
"It's shameful that a married woman suffering family violence can go to such extent," he said.

"She skimmed her lover, husband and father of her two children for all these years. And now she alleges rape. Was she kept locked all these year?" 

In another comment he said: "The real victim is the husband."

A spokesperson for the Red Heart Campaign, an organisation that tracks the number of women murdered by their partners, called on the Liberal Party to disendorse Mr Singh. 

"You're clearly accepting and you're clearly endorsing that behaviour," the spokesperson told SBS News.
Gurpal Singh's Facebook post.
Gurpal Singh's Facebook post. Source: Facebook
"The Liberal Party and all parties need to make it clear that we're no longer accepting these views. They should be educating their candidates, they should be vetting them better." 

The spokesperson questioned how serious the government's commitment was to preventing violence against women if they continued to endorse Mr Singh.

Paedophilia comments

Mr Singh retained his endorsement from the Liberal Party despite revelations about homophobic comments he made as
The Liberal candidate went on to call the alleged rapist a 'victim'.
The Liberal candidate went on to call the alleged rapist a 'victim'. Source: Facebook
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said on Wednesday that that matter had been handled and Mr Singh would remain the Liberal candidate.

That's despite the prime minister saying last week that vetting processes of candidates needed to be improved after a series of candidates resigned or were dumped for offensive or inappropriate social media activity. 

"The standard you walk by is the standard you accept," Mr Morrison said as he criticised Bill Shorten for a delay in disendorsing Luke Creasey who shared a rape joke on Facebook. 

 in October 2017, Mr Singh raised concerns about the children of same-sex marriages. 

"It has got very serious implications on the kids which we can't see now, but when these children grow up how they reconcile with that situation is beyond comprehension."

He later added: "I think it is also an issue of paedophilia - in these situations the occurrence can be high."

Equality Australia CEO Anna Brown called on the Liberal Party to take a stand against such views.

"If you’re a party that aims to govern for all Australians, and professes to value individual dignity, respect and diversity, then there is no place for homophobia or attitudes that reveal prejudice and lack of acceptance for cultural diversity."
Gurpal Singh was active in the 'No' campaign during debate about same-sex marriage.
Gurpal Singh was active in the 'No' campaign during debate about same-sex marriage. Source: Liberal Party
She said comments like Mr Singh's had the power to cause harm. 

"Derogatory and hate-filled speech can also ultimately lead to increases in hate crime, LGBTIQ people reported a doubling in physical assaults during the marriage equality postal survey for example."

Mr Singh did not respond to SBS News' request for comment. 

The Victorian Liberal Party has been contacted for comment. 


Share
Published 9 May 2019 5:16pm
By Rosemary Bolger


Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Download our apps
SBS News
SBS Audio
SBS On Demand

Listen to our podcasts
An overview of the day's top stories from SBS News
Interviews and feature reports from SBS News
Your daily ten minute finance and business news wrap with SBS Finance Editor Ricardo Gonçalves.
A daily five minute news wrap for English learners and people with disability
Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS
SBS World News

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service
Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world