Okmalumkoolkat Arrested And Jailed For Sexual Assault
Okmalumkoolkat arrested for sexual assault and the local music industry looks on with dismay. While many are appalled, some are baby-footing around the topic such as the OkayAfrica heading of the article: “Okmalumkoolkat Arrested And Jailed For Sexual Misconduct” putting a softer spin on it.
While Noisey’s header reads as it is: “Okmalumkoolkat Has Been Jailed For Sexual Assault After A Performance At A Tasmanian Music Festival”.
A sexual assault is not a ‘sexual misconduct’ and the very idea that Okmalumkoolkat had the gall to even attempt what he did is the main issue. It brings up the rife state of rape culture in South Africa and how someone such as Okmalumkoolkat thought he would be able to get away with it.
Reportedly he sexually assaulted a fellow artist performing at Hobart’s Mofo Festival while she was asleep in her hotel room. Her report to the police is what had Okmalumkoolkat arrested.
He entered the victim’s hotel room through an external sliding door that had been left ajar. The unnamed woman woke up to find him in her bed kissing her neck and rubbing her body. He then told her “don’t make any noise”.
He stopped after the victim told him to leave and showed him the way out.
“This must have been extremely frightening. This is a huge violation … in an environment where she ought to have felt secure and safe.” said Rebecca Lancaster, Crown prosecutor in court
The fact that she was asleep and couldn’t say no and that he entered without invitation makes this a crime.
According to his lawyer, he is “remorseful, ashamed and embarrassed”. His defence also used his jetlag, drunkenness, being lost while looking for his room, and separation from his friends as an excuse. He was sentenced to one month in jail.
This behaviour is creepy and revealing of Okmalumkoolkat’s character. Okmalumkoolkat arrested for sexual assault will most likely follow him throughout his career. While it may be a smudge on the local music industry it is indicative of the entitlement a lot of men believe they have over women’s bodies. Being drunk or tired is not an excuse; neither is being lost at your hotel.
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