Friend: no matter what missing girl did, she doesn’t deserve to be shamed
Jun 28, 2019, 8:01 AM | Updated: 8:47 am
Alexa Peterson speaks with KSL TV
SALT LAKE CITY — A study friend of missing woman Mackenzie Lueck says there’s no reason for people to do so much speculating about her character.
Alexa Peterson says she’s upset with how many people seem to be victim-blaming her, especially with twists in the case, and the talk about Lueck’s social media habits and apparent dating preferences.
“It’s not her fault. On campus, a lot of people say well, she shouldn’t have been casually dating a lot or she shouldn’t have been on that app or tinder is bad, so around campus a lot of people say they’re not going to find her because of the choices she made,” said Peterson.
The Utah Domestic Violence Coalition has also released a statement about Lueck and victim blaming saying, “While we do not know the details of Mackenzie’s disappearance, we do know that victim blaming and shaming is inappropriate and unacceptable. In addition to perpetuating myths about abuse, assault, and violence, victim blaming wrongly excuses the perpetrator’s behaviors.”
“Our focus should solely be on the safety and wellbeing of Mackenzie Lueck.”
–Utah Domestic Violence Coalition
Peterson says what Lueck did is her business. All that matters right now is that she might need help, and she needs to be found.
“She’s been gone this long and so many people are like, well, she would have surfaced earlier if she had not done that, but we didn’t know. It’s not fair to her and it’s not fair to her family,” she said.
Authorities are still asking for the public’s help in finding Mackenzie Lueck. Anyone with information can call the designated tip line for this case, which is 801-799-4420.
