Authorities have issued a cautionary warning to women against accepting jet ski rides from strangers at a renowned tourist spot, as they intensify measures to address a troubling rise in criminal activity.
Visitors to Melbourne’s St Kilda Pier have been advised to stay vigilant after a surge in incidents where women have reportedly been enticed into the ocean and coerced into unwanted sexual situations.
Reports indicate that men on jet skis are approaching women with offers of free rides, instructing them to leave their phones behind.
Once away from the shore, these women find themselves subjected to sexual harassment.
A notice on a local community board starkly warns: ‘Community alert. WARNING. Avoid jet ski rides from men. They are predators targeting young women for sexual assault.’
Among those expressing concern over this alarming trend is Port Phillip Councillor Serge Thomann.
‘It’s almost like a hostage situation,’ he told news.com.au.
‘If the girls don’t perform, they say they won’t take them back.’
Melbourne women and tourists are being urged to avoid men offering jet skis in St Kilda
Several women came forward with their own stories of similar attempts
The warning prompted Melbourne YouTuber TJ to raise awareness on his online video channel and was inundated with first-hand accounts from women who have been approached.
One woman recalled how she and her sisters accepted a ride before the man ‘accidentally’ flipped his jet ski, launching them into the ocean.
‘As we were swimming he asked me if I was single and if I could give him my number and I felt scared so I said ‘yes, that’s fine, when we get back I will’ and then he tried to come behind me and asked if I wanted a kiss so I was like ‘let’s get on the jet ski first’,’ she said.
‘As we’re way out far, I can swim but can’t swim that far without potentially drowning and when we got on I said I felt sick, like vomiting.’
Another woman recalled her terrifying ordeal after she accepted a ride back to shore.
‘Usually I would’ve said no but I was tired and couldn’t be f***ed swimming,’ she recalled.
‘He reached back clearly trying to touch my crotch area but he grabbed my leg instead, I immediately said ‘WTF are you doing’ and he goes ‘oh I’m giving you a lift, least you could do is give me something in return’.’
‘I said no and he crashed the f*** out and (started) accelerating really fast then braking really fast.
Multiple women have recalled being offered jet ski
Port Phillip councillor Serge Thomann said it was like a ‘hostage situation’ for the women
‘I assume he was just trying to scare me into letting him hit. By this point, we were way closer to shore, so I just jumped off.
‘Obviously it could’ve gone a lot worse but I’m glad it happened the way it did because now I know not to get on random jet skis in future.’
A third woman recalled how she and a friend were ‘begged’ by a group of men to join them but thankfully ignored the request, despite their persistent pleas.
The iconic pier recently underwent a $53million renovation, sparking a rise in visitors this summer.
Victoria Police has launched Operation Summersafe with increased water patrols of the area until March.
‘Several other operations targeting safety during summer are also being conducted simultaneously, including ones targeting boat users and jet skiers, putting others at risk,’ a spokesperson said.
‘Additionally, the water police will maintain a bolstered presence right across Victoria’s waters to ensure everyone is following the rules.’
A recent renovation to St Kilda’s pier have sparked an influx of visitors this summer
Port Phillip Council is now examining ways to prevent similar incidents.
There is already a ban on watercraft coming within 200m of the shore at St Kilda, with council looking to add jet skis to the banned list.
However, only the Victorian government can introduce or amend the laws.
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