Do You Like This Story?

The case of a 15-year-old girl who was sold to a 90-year-old man in Saudi Arabia has sparked outraged on social media.

Activists have labelled it child trafficking and prostitution and called for the legal marriage age to be a minimum of 18-years.

(Continue clicking through the gallery for more news stories).

It was the most talked about moment of this year's Golden Globes: Jodie Foster's acceptance speech where she spoke publicly about her sexual orientation. But not everyone in the gay community is congratulating Jodie, with her speech drawing criticism for not explicitly the words "gay" or "lesbian". Fred Sainz of the Human Rights Campaign, a national gay rights group has said "everyone watching clearly understood that she was communicating to people that she is gay. She is to be congratulated, no matter how awkward or inarticulate it may have seemed to some. It took an awful lot of courage."

Comments

Comment Guidelines : Imagine you’re at a dinner party. Different opinions are welcome but keep it respectful or the host will show you the door. We have zero tolerance for any abuse of our writers, our editorial team or other commenters. So if you’re rude, mean-spirited, snarky, aggressive, defamatory or bitchy, your comment will be deleted (so will any replies to the original comment – so don’t bother arguing with rude people, instead just hit the ‘alert moderator’ button).
And if you’re offensive, you’ll be blacklisted and all your comments will go directly to spam. Remember what Fonzie was like? Cool. That’s how we’re going to be – cool. Have fun and thanks for adding to the conversation…

Use your profile to comment: Or, comment as a guest:
(Max file size is 150kb & jpeg's only - if you need help resizing go here »)

160 Comments so far

  1. Molly Kuhens

    Good post. I learn something new and challenging on blogs I stumbleupon everyday. It’s always useful to read through content from other authors and practice something from their websites.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  2. ANON 81

    Rare……… meaning that an abortion should not be used as contraception!!!
    I dont think a man should have any opinion on these topics it is a womens decision and a womens body these men have no idea!!! Talk about arrogance!!!

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  3. Zoemirai

    Photo relating to KSA story appears to be of Yemen?

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  4. Caz Gibson

    The Saudi Arabian 15yr old bride escaped ?………Brilliant !

    That country needs to “clean up it’s act” when it comes to the treatment of women.

    Let’s hope that she’s now in a “country of safety” and is able to continue being a little girl pursuing an education.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  5. Zasha

    Re: literacy and yr 4 students. Get away from sight words and back to phonics!

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  6. Really??

    How can anyone believe Abbott? He’s not even original in his “quotes”.

    BILL CLINTON was the one who said abortion should be ‘safe, legal and rare’.

    C’mon people how blind can you be to believe this as a true representation??

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
    • Phary

      So Tony Abbott isn’t allowed to quote Bill Clinton? Mia has used that very phrase on this site before – without referencing Clinton. Abbott was using it in, what was at the time, a private conversation with a staffer which hardly means he needed to provide full references!

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
  7. kateusedtobeinLondon

    Has anyone seen the Veep episode where the female advisor is forced to talk to a magazine about her pregnancy and (imaginary) miscarriage. Life imitating art?

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  8. becharristar

    I read the entire article & found it to be an honest, intelligent representation of a woman battling heavy emotional stress whilst performing extraordinarily well in an equally stressful career..aided by a boss who genuinely cares for her.She has NEVER given a personal interview before & obviously feels it is time to speak up on behalf of her IVF battle as well as her employer. I am so sick of everyone falling for Labors press to label TA a misogynist..if these people took the time to google/read what he has said,in full on these issues instead of believing a BS line fed to them, I am sure they would form a different opinion…here is a man who has 3 daughters, & a wife so is surrounded by women;he continually personally raises money for charities,predominantly womens charities such as the Pollie Pedal he beagn himself WAY BACK in 2007:”Pollie Pedal 2012 was the 15th annual ride. Each year Pollie Pedal raises money for charity and to date, we have raised over $2.5 million for charity. This year we raised $548,000 for Carers Australia. Also, in the electorate of Warringah, $148 000 was raised for Manly Women’s Shelter.” Abbott is also a volunteer member of the NSW Rural Fire Service as a member of the Davidson Rural Fire Brigade. He Also devotes several weeks of his holiday time each year volunteering in aboriginal communities. Please tell me what our Pm has done besides lie,backstab & claw her way to power, destroying so much along the way..all the money wasted making the same contractors rich in the school building scheme where few schools got what they wanted & at a cost they should have;the 30000 plus asylum seekers since arrived; the kids killed in the roof batts scheme & the money wasted in dangerous insulation! Do not get me wrong, I am a swinging voter who makes up my mind each election, so I am not a whinging liberal voter. I am just sick of the vile way Labor have performed since they have been in power, & sick of people, especially women who want to hate a man just because they heard some hear say…educate yourselves on both parties then you have an opinion to be respected, not an opinion based on a comment you read on a website or newspaper etc..

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
    • Kris2040

      Bec, his comments about abortion that most people are familiar with aren’t taken out of context. They’re from a piece on his own website.

      For someone who claims to be a swinging voter, you’re coming across as a paid up member of the TA cheer squad.

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
  9. Anonymous

    The biggest issue I have with TA on abortion is that it should be ‘rare’.

    I believe it should be done if and when required or requested by a women. Rare suggests there should controlled

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
    • becharristar

      I disagree, there is no control inferred here…by rare he means by better education, contraception etc the need for abortions would be lessened..abortions have to be available,as he agrees, but it would be nice if it was not required in such high numbers as it is…just because its legal doesn’t mean it should become a path all girls should have to go through…More contraception/education would equate to lower numbers of these tragic situations..

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
    • Mother Duck

      By “rare” I’m sure he is acknowledging the seriousness with which the majority of women take abortion. To suggest abortion should be anything other than ‘rare’ could be seen as trivialising this very serious topic. Pro-choice women are quick to clarify that they are not ‘for’ abortion .. as noone celebrates the termination of an unborn life. They are simply ‘for’ choice. Abortion is usually seen as the better of two difficult options: the disruption of their current lives vs. the termination of an unborn life.

      I think most women would agree that it should not be undertaken without gravity and serious reflection, hence ‘rare’ seems a reasonable term for Tony Abbot to have used.

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
      • Lynda from Rye

        Sometimes I think the past of child can dissapoint peopple in such way
        than they think like parents in-law

        GD Star Rating
        loading...
  10. afw

    Dear 21 year old trainee pilot at Mangalore airport in Victoria:

    I want to say we’re all thinking of you here on the ground in this very tricky situation where a landing wheel fell off and you are circling the airport to burn up fuel.

    I hope the landing goes as well as it can. Wishing you well…

    http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/fears-for-pilot-as-difficult-landing-looms-20130107-2cc2k.html

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  11. B

    I’m a swinging voter and this smacks of desperation to me. Wonder what the latest internal polling is showing for Abbott? Bring on Turnball so I know who to vote for this year!!!!!

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  12. Tink

    Yeah I totally believe Tony Abbott used the phrase ‘safe, legal and rare’. Desperate and unbelievable.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
    • Essen

      That’s always been his position. How do people not know this?

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
    • stephanie

      he wrote it in his book battlelines, published 2006, before he was leader.

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
      • Tink

        Really? Thank you for letting me know :)
        It still doesn’t ring true coming from him, however if it is something he believes then I’m happy to be corrected.

        GD Star Rating
        loading...
  13. Em

    that’s the best they can do? an employee spruiks his credibility re: women with the fact that he let her store her fertility drugs in his bar fridge?

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
    • Suss on the story

      I find this a little hard to believe given that:
      Only just in 2010, after being c.o.s for two Lib leaders, Credlin was planning to return to practice law in Melbourne and not work for Abbott. No thoughts of ‘good timing, now I am 39 I might try for a baby’? It was law or Abbott. Hmm.
      Also, now 41 (soon to be 42) she decides to abandon IVF attempts ‘this year’ as the election will happen later in the year.
      Not saying impossible, I just find this hard to believe. I think she is just a career woman myself, saying and doing whatever it takes for her boss to win. This, this… is her whole world, i.e. helping Abbott become PM.

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
      • guest

        Suss, I think there is an element of truth to your comment. In that putting career first is not a good way to fall pregnant. But there are many other factors. I think that she, like many women, sounds torn between duty and desire for family. There are also lots of factors in ones’ personal life that can make starting a family difficult. Husband for starters!! But I don’t doubt that she is telling the truth when she says how heartbreaking she has found it and that he is genuinely supportive of women and what they are experiencing.

        GD Star Rating
        loading...
  14. ashamasha

    can the galleries be fixed for mobiles please? i’m on android, and only ever see part of the caption ! :(

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
    • Anonymous

      Yes it gets very frustrating

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
    • Essen

      I know, it’s so annoying.

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
  15. jordanmpp

    It is surprised that handbags in France increase their prices overall, so does the Louis Vuitton official network. The increasing is either large or small according their styles and limited types. While in the Asia countries such as South Korea, Hong Kong China don’t see any change.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  16. Emma

    It’s crazy how in this country it is the women’s fault for getting raped and not the actual rapists. This whole attitude towards women and rape makes me so frustrated!

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  17. Ashley

    That is the dumbest thing I’ve ever read. I know a girl who was unfortunately raped in winter. She was all covered up. It’s ridiculous they blame the women for some psychos behaviour.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  18. Bradley

    That’s it ! Swaziland is off my next African Adventure itinerary. Stupid reason for the ban.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  19. neola

    Miniskirts banned in Swaziland, the very same country where all the young virgins parade bare-breasted each year for the King, so he can select a new wife to add to his collection of more than a dozen…”Oh, hello Irony, I didn’t see you there.”

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
    • Lynda from Rye

      I beleive men leaving their wifes for a younger wife and a woman for a younger boy. Where the responsibilities will be when parents have kids

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
  20. Caz Gibson

    There should be punishment dished out to clergy involved in “cover-ups” of child abuse as well as the crime itself.
    How many children went on to be further abused day by day while these “holy men & women” turned a blind eye or continued to sweep these evil activities under their carpets just to save face ?

    As for the implication that women invite their own rapes simply by choosing to wear modern forms of dress – in my “ideal world” I would send those rapists off to “behavioural reform” camps.
    In fact – what about raising ALL boys to actually have respect for ALL women no matter who they are or what they CHOOSE to wear ?

    Our schools can make a tremendous, positive difference in the lives of boys who’ve been raised by adults who’s attitudes towards women are negative and unhealthy.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  21. Liz

    PR stunt… sickening. He needs to be removed.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  22. Anonymous

    Too little, too late for some people like my dad Pell. Shame on you, you make me sick.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  23. Bradley

    I’m going to ask Cardinal Pell why did it take so long for you to offer up the apology ? Too little, too late I say. But at least he has offered the apology.

    However I will not knock the majority of Catholics, both parishoners and clergy who are very decent people. For sure, there are the bad apples and I have nothing but disdain for those have participated in the abuse of children and those who aided and abetted this abuse.

    As with every organisation the is the good, the bad and the ugly. Unlike some, I won’t tar the good with the same brush that the bad and the ugly so richly deserve.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  24. Shannon

    Can anyone tell me how to view galleries?

    I can get the gallery to load, in terms of seeing the pictures, but I can never see any information about the pictures explaining what the news is?

    I’m on Mobile (Android) and I used to just switch totethe Mamamia regular theme and I can’t seem to find where I used to change out of mobile theme to view things…am Ijust missing something or are mobile galleries still just a work in progress?

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
    • Vee

      I have the same problem :(

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
      • Brandy snaps

        Yep, me too, I thought it was just me….

        GD Star Rating
        loading...
    • Anonymous

      I have the same issue!

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
  25. tanlee

    I think it’s great that Cardinal Pell has finally offered an apology. However it’s my understanding that he turned a blind eye to inappropriate behavior by priests under his leadership and sidelined the victims. He could have made such a difference to the lives of the innocent but chose not to. Shame on him.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  26. Jane

    My daughter brought home her portfolio of work from her first year of prep yesterday. There was a page where they had learnt about the difference between impossible, possible and certain. In the “certain” column she had written “I’ll go home today after school”. It brought home the weekend’s news even more. Extra tight hugs all round.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  27. EmC

    The comment about Jesse Lewis just broke my heart.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  28. Feuille

    I enjoy reading this post but don’t understand why the following sentence had to be included above the images:

    Because a woman can never have to (sic) much information…

    It’s a bit condescending and strange.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  29. Hannah

    I was just about to comment the same thing!

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  30. Hayley

    I think your headline saying “dangerous” is misleading. Many are of the opinion it is dangerous to vaccine!!

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
    • vaccinate your children

      The headline isn’t misleading at all. It is dangerous. Most people with common sense know to vaccinate their children so we don’t see a reemergence of these deadly, infectious diseases. Selfish, uninformed, misguided people who choose not to, are dangerous.

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
      • Mumsy

        …. the number of children not immunised (one in twelve) is a failure (of our medicos) to keep people informed and up to date with research. The fact that so many are worried about autism warrants education – resorting to name calling is inappropriate and counter productive.

        GD Star Rating
        loading...
    • Faybian

      Like you?

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
    • Rohan G

      You think vaccine is a verb?

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
  31. sharons

    I wouldn’t leave a chocolate bar in a hot car, let alone a baby.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
    • Anonymous

      Rumor has it that the mum thought the father had got the baby out and he thought she had . If this is the truth what a devastating mistake to live with forever..

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
  32. Zoid.

    Excellent news. I’m kind of hoping that Dorey refuses the name change so she is finally forced to shut down her dangerous network of misinformation once and for all.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  33. a.non

    I wouldn’t like to be referred to as fat girls but it is a bit of a laugh. It definitely goes on in this industry but it would have been a better idea if it wasn’t printed on the docket. If they were referred to as “hot chicks”, it would have been an entirely different matter!!

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  34. a.non

    I wouldn’t like to be referred to fat girls but it is a bit of a laugh. It definitely goes on in this industry but it would have been a better idea if it wasn’t printed on the docket. If they were referred to as “hot chicks”, it would have been an entirely different matter!!

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  35. Emmy

    I can never read the news on my phone as it doesn’t display the whole caption… Photos work fine though! Is there a trick I’m missing?

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
    • iPhone iPad user

      Mamamia, can you please fix this so mobile device users can read these posts properly? It seems you’re ignoring the problem & many many would be readers are missing out!

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
      • Kris2040

        It isn’t just mobile users – I routinely have to empty caches and switch between Chrome, Explorer and Firefox to come on the site. It’s really annoying. And as I regularly access plenty of other sites without having to do this, it must be something happening MM’s end. I know others have these issues too. The photo galleries and captions don’t match up either – apparently Hamish Blake and Zoe Foster, Kelly Clarkson and some dude and Lady Gaga were all “Lady Gaga in a mask” or whatever it was today.

        GD Star Rating
        loading...
  36. cool beans

    Yes, a name change is definitely in order. The Australian ANTI Vaccination network is more appropriate. or irresponsible parents network

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  37. beansbeansthemagicalfruit

    Massive news about the AVN! And such a huge victory for commonsense.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
    • Anon

      The real victory will come when the anti vaccers are banned from peddling their rubbish, and locked up if they try.

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
  38. girly

    He could have at least asked one of them for a name. Lazy/poor service.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  39. Re: Fat Girls.

    These sorts of ‘notes’ are normal across business from hospitality to finance/law/etc.

    They are fat so what’s the big deal. If they were called ‘Asian girls’ or ‘Blonde girls’ nobody would care.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
    • Faybian

      What you don’t know doesn’t hurt you. In this instance they knew their waiter’s main description of them was fat. It could’ve been left off the bill presented to them, cos its more than just a ‘note’ then.
      Health care providers can’t even write ‘notes’ like that. Ours are open to the FOI act. Imagine if all of your ‘notes’ were too. I’d bet the rules on them would change in a hurry.

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
  40. Nicki

    Mamamia team it seems you missed one of the biggest news stories of the week – the Slipper case was thrown out of Court, and Ashby ordered to pays costs! News Ltd reporting this in hushed tones too, I notice, having gone from being a front page story concluding on page 17……

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  41. chef

    Every place I’ve worked at, the dockets come into the kitchen with little waiter descriptions on them such as ‘bald guy’ ‘blue shirt’ ‘weirdo’ ‘arrogant prick’ fat chick’ ‘old lady’ ‘bad hair dude’ ‘hot girl’ ‘try hard’ etc etc. My favourite is ’2 extra consonants’ (in customer). Think about it. However, to the best of my knowledge, these do not make it on to the bill presented. Thankfully.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
    • Kris2040

      It reminds me of the skit in Little Britain with the secretary calling the professor at the uni when students come to see him “Hi David, it’s Barbara (or whatever her name is). I’ve got Melissa from first year here to see you. How do I describe her? Coloured hair, relaxed dressing style… – Yes, that’s right, the punk lesbian who doesn’t wash”. LOL

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
    • chillax

      They were always used when I was a waitress too. Regulars with bad manners / bad attitude had special names all the staff knew and used
      Bitch face is on table 7 tonight etc…

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
  42. Bradley

    Next time use “stout women” or “big boned beauties” !

    Dear oh dear….what is the outrage over today ? The fact that they were called fat or the fact that they were called girls ?

    I visited my female GP earlier this week and she told me that I was getting a bit fat. I didn’t jump up and down or try to get her struck off or anything. I agreed with her. I have very thick skin. :)

    Ladies, either lighten up or just lighten up ! Simple.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
    • Zepgirl

      Or failing that, Table Seven.

      Come on, you really can’t see why they were cross that they were referred to as the ‘Fat Girls’?

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
      • Anon

        You know what Zepgirl? I got sick of fat women (my mother’s friends) calling me skinny when I was a teenager. They would always bring attention to my skinny arms and legs, and that my ribs were showing through my shirt. I was 6′ 2″ and 62 kg, so I was a pretty typical skinny and tall young man. I hated it, and no matter how many times I’d ask them not to say things like that, they completely ignored me and continued to draw attention to me.

        So one day I got to the point where I’d had enough. So when one of them said “I’d love to have ribs again”, I said “try putting the cake down and running around the block”

        My mother went off her head, the fat chick acted like I’d stolen her purse, and the other fat chicks just looked at me like I was some sort of pariah.

        Ever since I make a point of calling fat people just that if they make mention of me being skinny.

        So if you’re fat, no amount of sugar coating will change that.

        GD Star Rating
        loading...
        • Zepgirl

          If someone says something rude to you, I reckon you have the right to say something back to them. But there’s nothing in this story that suggests that the women were rude to the waiter to warrant their being called something inappropriate.

          GD Star Rating
          loading...
          • Rebeecca

            Also, the ‘fat girls’ were paying customers. It’s callled customer service where you are polite to the customer. It’s your job!!

            GD Star Rating
            loading...
      • distracted

        And if the tables aren’t numbered, describe by the colour/type of their top. ‘Orange shirt’, ‘Blue singlet’, ‘Black tshirt’ etc. Never failed me.

        GD Star Rating
        loading...
    • Alice

      Oh come on Bradley. Sometimes you astound me. Your doctor is SUPPOSED to comment on your weight – your body is the exact reason you consult her. Referring to a group of women as “fat” is rude in anyone’s book. If you can’t see the difference then no wonder your comments are often so baffling – you mustn’t understand society at all!

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
      • Bradley

        You are right. There are certain elements of society that I will never understand !

        GD Star Rating
        loading...
        • Janessa

          I hear you Bradley… To this day, I am unable to comprehend the reason why we are not ‘allowed’ to call someone fat. I constantly have people tell me I have ‘lost weight’ (even if I havent) quite often it is the first thing they say to me as well.

          Please someone, explain to me HOW this is different!?!?!?!

          GD Star Rating
          loading...
    • Anonymous

      Rather than calling them “stout”, how about he just doesn’t comment on their appearence full stop?? They’ve gone to have a bite to eat, not have some man give them commentary on their appearence. In contrast, if your GP DIDN’T comment on your body, then she’d be incredibly bad at her job. The fact you can’t see the difference is bizarre.

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
    • Rebecca

      Or maybe waiting staff could try some customer service, smile, get on with their job and keep their personal comments to themselves.

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
  43. stella

    ‘i’ before ‘e’ except after ‘c’

    receipt

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
    • intern

      All fixed. Thanks, Stella :)
      Mary (MM Intern/Moderator)

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
    • Alibee

      Foreign? :p

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
      • There are more exceptions to that rule than any other in the English language!

        GD Star Rating
        loading...
      • Anon

        Foreign comes from old french “forein” meaning “from the outside, that in turn came from the vulgar latin “foranus”.

        Receipt also has it’s roots in latin “recepta”, the feminine past tense of “recipere” (to receive).

        So the words have common roots, so they have common spelling, however, they probably didn’t enter the english language at the same time.

        The rule of i before e though, is grade 5 stuff.

        GD Star Rating
        loading...
        • Kris2040

          On QI the other night, they had a whole big debate about this, and apparently as a rule, there are more words that are exceptions than actually follow it. So it’s not being taught as a rule anymore!

          GD Star Rating
          loading...
  44. anon

    About ten years ago when I lived in Townsville I was driving near the city when I saw a woman going berserk on the side of the road, she was frantically pulling on the doors of the car trying to open them.

    So I stopped to see if I could help. She had accidentally locked the car with her baby inside. She had called the police and her husband but was trying to open the car door to get to the kid, who was obviously suffering from the heat in the car. If you’ve never been to Townsville, it get to the high 30′s in January and February by about 9 or 10 am every day, and the sun is merciless. Adults are uncomfortable getting into cars that have been in the sun.

    She was screaming that her baby was in the car, so I went to my boot and got out the tyre lever and smashed the drivers window. From there the baby was out (she was only 4 weeks old), and the cops, ambulance, Fireys and husband arrived just as we got the kid out of the car.

    The ambo’s attended to both baby and mum, both were taken to hospital. The poor kid was in a hell of a state.

    Then the Husband started abusing me for smashing the window of his new commodore. He got so abusive about his car getting damaged that the cops had to restrain him, and he eventually took a swing at a cop, so he was carted away in handcuffs.

    The child was fine, she just needed rehydration and the mother was sedated.

    I often wonder about that bloke, and what sort of priorities he had to be more worried about a smashed window than the possible death of his beautiful little girl.

    Would I smash a window again to get to a baby? In a heartbeat.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
    • guest

      People act very strange when under pressure or shock. His baby was taken away in an ambulance, she very nearly died. Just give him the benefit of doubt that shock made him react so agressively.

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
      • Anon

        Yeah I understand that stress brings out the worst in all of us at times, I’m no exception in that.

        However, this guy, even in the situation where his little girl was only a few minutes from brain injury or death, was focused on a bloody car. His priorities were all wrong.

        GD Star Rating
        loading...
    • Hayley

      My brother locked me and himself in our car while mum shut the gate in. Darwin … Engine still running. I remember seeing the firemen but I couldn’t unlock it. My brother had fallen asleep and when he woke up he unlocked it before any broken windows … My poor mum was heavily pregnant ad had to be checked over

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
  45. Em

    I guess its pretty hard to find an image to convey the article about the poor baby left in the car but the baby on board! sign isn’t it.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
  46. O's Mum

    It is impossible to understand why anyone would leave a baby in a hot car – impossible. You would not choose to sit in your own car in 30 degree heat, so why leave your child. Hopefully the person/s responsible will be charged – it’s not good enough to say ‘I didn’t mean to do it’. Full stop.

    On the PMs relentless courting of female bloggers in the hopes she’s garnish more of the women’s votes in 2013. Hopefully we’re all past being snowed just because she’s a woman.

    On the Deputy PM being called a “Bimbo” by a male Labor MP – where’s the MM outrage and the posts devoted to that incident? I can’t believe it was so blatantly ignored.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
    • Anonymous

      She not the Deputy PM…yet. Deputy Leader of the Opposition.

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
      • O's Mum

        Sorry – of course she’s not the Deputy PM… Yet.
        Just a slip of wishful thinking on my part.
        :-)

        GD Star Rating
        loading...
    • tara

      Someone called Wayne Swan a bimbo? Oh. I must have missed that.

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
  47. mickie

    That poor baby, this should never have happened :(
    I think the police need to start charging parents, maybe that will give people the wake up call some of them obviously need.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
    • Carla

      They do get charged, especially in the case of a death. Unfortunately the courts don’t punish them. I just don’t understand how you can leave a baby in a hot car. So very sad.

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
    • Amelie

      The show Crownies on the ABC last year dealt with a child dying from being locked in the car. The parent was in such a sleep deprived state they forgot to stop and drop the baby at daycare, drove straight to work and didn’t even notice the baby still there. I agree intentional negligence should be punished but you never know if there is some tragic back story to this.

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
      • Sweets

        I saw an interview Oprah did with a women who had done the same. Forgot to drop her child off to daycare, got to work and left her in the back of the car without noticing. The baby died because it was such a hot day. Just awful.

        GD Star Rating
        loading...
      • Mum of two cheeky monkeys

        I saw that episode. Absolutely heartbreaking. Last year at netball in the car park I saw a woman frantically trying to open the door for her baby that was locked inthe car. We got her out but it sent chills up my spine.

        I remember a case in the us where a woman had 4 kids and left one in the car after she dropped the others at pre school. The baby was in a capsule and she just thought she’d dropped him off too. She was sleep deprived and it devastated her. We don’t know all the details, and I’m sure this woman is suffering immeasurably.

        GD Star Rating
        loading...
        • Snoozy mum

          Oh yes…. Totally heart breaking :( sending much love to anyone touched by similar tragedy

          GD Star Rating
          loading...
      • Snoozy mum

        So grateful for your compassion. No, it hasn’t happened to me but Oh! I vividly remember the sleep deprivation when my darling boy could not sleep for more than 2 hours at a time….

        GD Star Rating
        loading...
  48. picardie.girl

    I cannot believe anyone would leave a child in a car. It is 2012, right? People know not to leave dogs in cars now – children even more so.

    I don’t understand why this is so hard for people to get.

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
    • Lizi

      It’s so sad that people don’t learn – and so we’re starting another summer season of avoidable infant deaths in cars, in swimming pools etc.

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
      • Faybian

        Its so easy to forget things, even really, really important ones. I haven’t been a sleep deprived mum for years and I’ve tried driving my kids to work with me a number of times instead of daycare, because they’ve gone quiet.

        GD Star Rating
        loading...
    • Crackerpants

      Try this for some understanding of how it could happen to anyone. Anyone. http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/02/27/AR2009022701549.html

      Terribly sad, but I’ll reserve my judgement.

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
      • Kate

        I am in tears. This article is so sad and I now agree. I also reserve my judgement. There but for the grace of god go I.

        GD Star Rating
        loading...
      • So very sad

        Just read that article – one of the most heartbreaking stories I have ever read. Although I have only just stopped crying for those poor babies and poor families, I thank you for sharing it.

        GD Star Rating
        loading...
      • picardie.girl

        Thanks for that. Pretty tough stuff.

        Modern life is killing us all in one way or another. :(

        GD Star Rating
        loading...
      • Bec

        What an incredible piece of writing. So poignant. Thanks for posting it here.

        GD Star Rating
        loading...
      • neola

        Crackerpants, wow, that article was extraordinary. I kept telling myself to stop reading as it was so sad, but it was impossible. Can see why the author won a Pulitzer for it! The ending blew me away too. Definitely makes you think.

        GD Star Rating
        loading...
      • Sweets

        Heartbreaking…

        GD Star Rating
        loading...
      • Sarah

        I was just going to search for this post.

        GD Star Rating
        loading...
      • Anonymous

        Thank you Crackerpants for sharing this link… it is one of the most haunting, shocking yet beautifully written feature articles I have read.

        GD Star Rating
        loading...
      • Anon58

        I agree with you Crackerpants. This is tragic. I think the lesson to be learnt is life is too impossibly busy for parents of young children. We all need to allow for them to do things in a calm time frame. They need to be in the present and not worried about work. There is nothing as important as your family. Look at the case of Brenda Slaby and this will really bring this home.

        GD Star Rating
        loading...
      • Crackerpants

        You’re welcome everyone. It’s a year or 2 since I read it, so I made myself read it again…it really is an extraordinary piece of journalism, and such a heartbreaking but important read. Perhaps Mamamia might consider seeking permission to repost it directly on the site?

        GD Star Rating
        loading...
      • beansbeansthemagicalfruit

        It took me from the day you posted this to just now finishing reading this article as I could only bear a few paragraphs at a time. But I wanted to say how truly grateful I am you shared this as it’s changed a part of me. I’m ashamed to admit how much judgement I’ve always had for parents in these situations. It always made me feel better to think they must have been neglectful or high or just plain stupid so I wouldn’t have to consider it happening to me. Never ever again.

        GD Star Rating
        loading...
      • k8e.

        I too was terribly saddened by this. I cried for quite a long time for the suffering those parents must be going through, the mental anguish.

        And absolutely terrified. We’re about to get out of routine nxt year when I’m doing odd hour all over the shop, and my soon to be 4 month old (where did time go!!!) starts daycare. I am terrified that i could become one of those people. I was so upset about it all, about feeling like I’m running on nothing at times and lucky to get to work alive when we have a routine at the moment, that I spoke with my husband and we’re implementing a system whereby the drop off is signalled by a simple text message. to the other party. simple as that. I would not want to live if this happened to me.

        My heart absolutely goes out to everyone this type of event has happened too.

        GD Star Rating
        loading...
        • Ju

          One thing I heard on the Oprah show about this terrible event is to always put your handbag in the back of the car with the baby. Make it a habit. As we never seem to forget to take out our handbag as we are used to doing this. Obviously the text message is a good back up plan too.

          GD Star Rating
          loading...
      • GeeBee

        I am now better informed, but Jeez I really wish I could un-read that.

        GD Star Rating
        loading...
    • chillax

      We have a little local cafe near our house and I have lost count of the number of times I have seen mums leave babies and toddlers in their car while they go in to buy their coffee. The service at this place can be slow because its really popular and a few times I have been tempted to ring the Police, but instead I just stood and chatted to them through the semi open windows.
      Though one time, I will never forget, three kids were locked in. Windows up, dark BMW so extra hot. All 3 were crying. My next door neighbour and I were asking each other ‘should we call?’ we were really unsure what to do.
      The mum came back around 20 minutes later with coffee. My neighbour and I told her that her children had been screaming and we were considering calling the Police. She told us to mind our own business, her kids were fine and we were f***ing bitches.

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
      • distracted

        Wow. Good on you for staying chillax. I would want someone to do it for my kids if I’d forgotten them.

        GD Star Rating
        loading...
      • Zepgirl

        Well, I think we all know who the ‘f*cking bitch’ in that scenario really was, don’t we?

        Good for you for taking note of the kids.

        GD Star Rating
        loading...
      • Guest

        It sounds nasty, but I always hold back judgement when it is about exhausted mums.

        It could be that the kids were driving her up the wall and she just needed some time to herself and a coffee to keep her going. Maybe they were all tired, maybe she hadn’t slept the night, maybe one of them was sick…perhaps the windows were up because she had left the AC on for them.

        In 99.999% cases, mums love and care for their babies far more than any ‘concerned stranger’. So unless you are 100% sure that something is seriously wrong, stay out of it.

        GD Star Rating
        loading...
        • chillax

          I think most mums can relate to the exhaustion feeling, however when 3 little kids are locked in a dark car without any windows open on a hot day for 20 minutes right outside my house, I feel it is my duty as a human being to check on them.
          My only regret that day is not calling the police. Because I now know 20 minutes on a hot day is long enough to kill a baby.

          GD Star Rating
          loading...
    • disgusted

      The mother should be thrown in jail for leaving her daughter in the car to die!!!! hope she gets charged and sentenced

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
  49. Guest

    Is it just me? These galleries never on my computer :-(

    GD Star Rating
    loading...
    • Kris2040

      No. People have said this a number of times, and yet they continue publishing this way. It’s really silly.

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
      • Curious

        Doesn’t work for me either. How frustrating.

        GD Star Rating
        loading...
        • Melbmum

          I see it fine. Never had a prob yet!!

          GD Star Rating
          loading...
    • Lizi

      It might be the browser you’re using, or whether it’s Mac or PC that gets you over the line?

      Most people don’t do enough testing on all browsers and just plump for the most popular combos – checking the galleries using Chrome on a Mac or safari on my ipad is less reliable than IE on a PC (at work).

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
    • Lucia

      Try a few different web browsers like Google Chrome, Safari, Firefox etc and see if they support the galleries. Worth a shot :)

      GD Star Rating
      loading...
  50. Petal

    Could you list the women in the photo?

    GD Star Rating
    loading...

So, we have $1000 to give away... oh, would you be interested? Well step right this way.

To go in the draw to win, just LIKE us on Facebook, enter your email address and tell us in 25 words or less why you love reading Mamamia.

Close this popup



Full Terms & Conditions