Please

Before I read any more about how it was Jill's fault.

I can't wrap my head or my heart around my fury that a woman in this day and age can still not be able to have a night out with her colleagues and walk 450m to her home.  But my stomach churns when I start reading "But what was she doing walking home?" "Well, that's what happens when a woman goes out drinking".

Stop blaming the victim. Stop slurring her name, or her husband's. Instead, let's listen to the people who loved Jill pay tribute to what sounds like a wonderful, happy woman. 

I'm not going to talk about the person who is alleged to have raped and murdered Jill Meagher. I hope that every single person is mindful of what they say on social media, including blogs. Just as with the Daniel Morcombe case that has transfixed Queenslanders for more than a decade, and the more recent Alison Baden-Clay, I would hate for our anger and outrage in any way damaged the Crown's case against the people accused of their murders. I can't think of anything more horrific to families who have already faced the most unimaginable loss to then suffer the trauma of a mistrial or an aquittal, caused my loopholes and public opinion being so strong that the defence is able to use it against the Prosecution.

Jill Meagher’s husband, while thanking the public for their online support, asked people to be careful what they post on social media websites in case they damage the legal process: “While I really appreciate all the support, I would just like to mention that negative comments on social media may hurt legal proceedings, so please be mindful of that.”Meanwhile, a statement by Victoria Police investigating the murder asks people not to post comments that could potentially interfere with the investigation and anything before the courts.

My heart goes out to Tom, Jill's husband. Only 3 years married, 3 years living in our beautiful country. Newlyweds, by all accounts loving their lives. Some random, terrible thing happened. And now hearts across two continents are broken.

RIP Jill Meagher.

UPDATED: I wrote this post on Saturday night and scheduled it to appear Sunday morning. It didn't work, obviously so it's live today. But last night, I saw something that made me cry, reinforcing my belief that as Australians, sometimes we can get it so right. I wish, so much that I could have been there.