Ajit Karn
Australian Judge Justifies Removing Breastfeeding Mother
A judge in Australia who was criticised for removing a breastfeeding mother and her infant from his courtroom defended his actions as “self-explanatory.”
According to The Guardian, the woman was breastfeeding her infant while observing a trial at the Victorian County Court on Thursday when the judge directly addressed her, stating that she was not permitted to breastfeed in court due to the distraction it caused. While the court declined to comment, the judge addressed the jury regarding the incident on Friday and stated that his remarks were “self-explanatory.”
“I told the mother, ‘Madam, you will not be permitted to breastfeed your child in court. I’m very remorseful. I must request that you depart. At minimum, it will be a distraction for the jury “The judge stated, according to the source.
“I am telling you this because this topic has received media attention, and I believe you need to know precisely what I said and why I said it. However, you should not give this issue serious contemplation going forward because it is irrelevant to your mission “the judge continued.
Jaclyn Symes, the state’s attorney general, is anticipated to discuss this matter with the courts at this time. A spokesperson for the attorney general stated, “These disturbing allegations are a matter for the county court. However, no woman deserves to be ridiculed and humiliated for breastfeeding in public.”
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The woman who was breastfeeding told the Australian news outlet The Age that she was traumatised by the incident. She said, “I felt completely humiliated and ashamed, as if I had done something wrong.”
The mother also stated that she inquired with the court’s security officer before bringing the infant inside. She claimed that being publicly addressed in court humiliated her. She was dismayed by the judge’s description of lactation as a “distraction.”
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The Australian minister for early development, Ingrid Stitt, was also questioned about the incident at a press conference, according to The Guardian. “It is astonishing that this has occurred in 2023. She added, “The essential message for Victorian women is that we support you and your right to be able to care for your children, and if that requires you to breastfeed in a public building, then that should not only be tolerated but celebrated.”
Notably, Australia’s Equal Opportunity Act protects pregnant and lactating women in all aspects of public life, including the workplace, schools, universities, stores, and rental properties. It is unclear whether these protections apply in court, as courtroom rules are frequently left to the discretion of the judge.
