A women’s health company has driven four billboards around Sydney District Court featuring comments from the judge who let ex-Knox thug Nick Drummond off without conviction after he punched a woman in the face.
Drummond, 20, slut-shamed a young woman during a night out on Sydney’s North Shore last December, telling her to ‘put your t**s away’ before striking her in the face, after coward-punching another man in the back of the head earlier that evening.
Judge Sutherland condemned the young man’s ‘lewd and completely inappropriate remark towards someone he didn’t know but whose dress might have been perceived by a former student of Knox to be provocative.’
Women’s health company Ovira, who went viral after parking a billboard reading ‘You will not silence our pain’ outside his former private school last week, organised for the mobile signage to circle the court to object to the judge’s comments on Tuesday morning.
‘We did not expect to have the response that we did. We had an overwhelming response and we realised how hungry women are for change,’ founder Alice Williams told Daily Mail Australia outside the Downing Centre building.
‘We need to start being loud about the things we were taught to be quiet about.’
A women’s health company has driven four billboards around Sydney District Court featuring comments from the judge who let ex-Knox thug Nick Drummond off without conviction
Women’s health company Ovira organised for the mobile signage to circle the Downing Centre to object to the judge’s comments on Tuesday morning
Nick Drummond (left) escaped conviction in court last month despite coward punching a man and hitting a woman in the face last year. Pictured with older brother Daniel (right)
Above is the outfit the victim was wearing on the night Nick Drummond told her to ‘put your t**s away’ before punching her
Drummond was sentenced by the NSW District Court for assault and destroying property in September, with Judge Robert Sutherland finding the incidents were sparked by Drummond’s ‘loose tongue and loose thoughts’ and alcohol use.
The decision saw outcry from the public and disappointment from the victims, who spoke to Daily Mail Australia on their sadness at the decision.
Ms Williams says Ovira have been in contact with both victims to ensure they’re OK with the billboard campaign, with both in ‘full support’.
The four billboards featured quotes from Judge Sutherland, who caused outrage when he allowed Drummond to walk without conviction despite violently attacking two people.
The four signs included ‘Thank your lucky stars’, which referenced the judge’s comments after he informed Drummond he would not record the convictions.
Another read ‘He’s had an unhappy year’, speaking to Drummond’s excuse for his disgraceful behaviour.
‘Her dress may have been perceived as provocative’ was a third sign, referring to the judge’s famous words that angered the public and devastated his female victim.
‘I didn’t consider a long sleeve top and shorts provocative. I went to a private school myself and none of my friends seem to be so offended by what I was wearing,’ she said.
‘It’s a shame. I thought we were definitely progressing in society and women were being heard but clearly not.’
Ms Williams says Ovira have been in contact with both victims to ensure they’re OK with the billboard campaign, with both in ‘full support’
The junior soccer coach and state-league player called his female victim a ‘s**t’ and told her to put her ‘t*ts away’, before telling her to ‘f*** off’ when she asked for an apology
The four billboards featured quotes from Judge Sutherland, who caused outrage when he allowed Drummond to walk without conviction despite violently attacking two people
Drummond remains a soccer coach for children despite public outrage over escaping conviction after punching a woman in the face
Ovira founder Ms Williams said whatever the woman was wearing is ‘redundant’ and lamented the judge’s words.
‘Whether it was provocative is redundant.’
The final sign read ‘Good luck with the coaching’, the last words the judge told Drummond before he let the 20-year-old thug walk.
‘While it hasn’t been a great response with this case, there’s been a great response overall. We want to shine the light on awareness on the issues here, but also on the justice system,’ Ms Williams said.
‘There is an issue with women not reporting crimes against them.’
‘We wanted to highlight what actually happened here, he was found guilty of assault.’
Ovira have also founded a website referencing one of the judge’s lines called YourLuckyStars which is raising money for critical care and support groups including charities supporting victims of domestic violence.
They have made an initial donation of $15,000 and are hoping the public follow suit and support the relevant charities – including Teach Us Consent, Rape and Domestic Violence Services Australia and Lou’s Place.
For 24/7 support, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. For any support with instances of violence or abuse call 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732).
Women’s health start-up Ovira parked a huge billboard out the front of Knox Grammar on Sunday in support of the female victim of a vicious attack from former student Nick
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