A police investigation is underway following an incident at St Kilda Festival over a week ago, during which a man allegedly ejaculated onto a woman whilst both were in the crowd.
According to Victoria Police, a 20-year-old woman was standing near the main stage watching “Thunder Mentals” — by that, of course, Police mean Thundamentals — on Sunday, 8th February when a man behind her ejaculated onto her back.
The woman has said the man was too close to her before the incident, but she couldn’t tell what he was doing amongst the crush of the mosh pit.
“Everybody was touching each other but I noticed this guy was a bit too close to me and I tried to manoeuvre away,” the woman told reporters at a press conference this morning (Via News Limited). “It made me feel uncomfortable, I’m pretty angry towards men… I feel violated but I’m lucky it wasn’t worse.”
“Everyone was jumping up and down on the ground along with the music so it was hard to tell if he was sort of going along with it or sort of doing something else,” she told Fairfax. “I just felt something on me and turned around and saw him doing up his fly.” The woman claims the man then calmly disappeared into the crowd.
“It’s a bit traumatising, I just want to catch him so that nothing like that can happen to someone else or something worse because I feel like it could have been a lot worse in a less public setting… It’s really gross, pretty disgusting, he must be sick in the head to do something like that.”
Detective Senior Constable Carin Wood has said the woman was so shocked by the incident she didn’t say anything to the man before he disappeared. She reportedly removed her top whilst still in the mosh pit and handed her wallet and phone to a woman next to her before her sister came over to help.
Moorabbin Sexual Offences and Child Abuse Investigation Team detectives are now investigating, with the woman’s clothing being forensically analysed. Detectives also want to speak to the woman who held her wallet while she removed her top.
Investigators have released an image of a man (below) they think might be able to assist with their investigation. He is described as Indian in appearance and aged between 18 and 30, with a dark brown complexion, average build, short black hair, brown eyes and with acne scars on his cheeks.
Anyone with any information about the incident or the man responsible is urged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or submit a confidential crime report at www.crimestoppersvic.com.au
UPDATE 17/02/15: Thundamentals have taken to Facebook to address the St Kilda Festival incident. “We are both shocked and disgusted to learn about what happened at St Kilda Festival last week while we were performing,” the group have said.
“Everyone should have the right to feel safe, no matter what. We 100% support the young lady who suffered and hope that she is ok.” View Thundamental’s post in full, below.
