Miss World finalist, South Sudanese-born Australian model Adau Mornyang, believes young men in the South Sudanese community have a lack of respect towards women, and often see them as sexual objects.
Mornyang, 22, told the Herald Sun her thoughts after she revealed on an emotional Facebook live post, that she was raped as a 17-year-old.
During the hour-long video, the aspiring model is visibly upset, often going off camera to wipe the tears from her face.
Posted two days ago, it has already been viewed more than 34,000 times.
Ms Mornyang explains the lead up to the assault that occurred in Adelaide in January 2012.
“I remember this day like it was yesterday … it has haunted me for six years,” she says.
She also details what happened during the assault, by two men she knew, and how she was feeling.
“I couldn’t move — my body just shut down,” she said.
“I could hear everything they said … they took turns.”
She believes there is a real culture clash with the youths in her community, despite some of them being born in Australia and others who have grown up here.
“Some of them have grown up here, and their respect to women and girls has gone out the window to be honest,” she said.
“Whether they are drinking or not, they have no respect towards women.
“They sexualise us, and they feel like they own us, and they don’t.
“We are our own people, and this is our own body … and If I don’t want you, if I say no to you — I should not be pressured into accepting to be with you or get involved.”
Ms Mornyang believes the attitudes towards women come from their culture back home.

“They want us to bow down to them,” she said.

“Because back at home, they are put on a very high pedestal. and they think they can get away with it here … and we need to start educating them, and say no, that is not good enough. We are equal, and nobody is going to get away with this kind of behaviour.”

She says she has no plans to stop speaking out, and will use the platform of Miss World to try and make a change.

“It is time for our girls to be protected, they need to know they are not alone,” she said.

“I have confidence now, and I’m no longer invisible.

“I have found my voice, and I am happy about that.

“I want to inspire them and give them hope.”

Via Herald Sun

https://www.facebook.com/adau.mornyang.5/videos/206419129858732/?autoplay_reason=gatekeeper&video_container_type=4&video_creator_product_type=0&app_id=173847642670370&live_video_guests=0