“People we didn’t even know were coming turned up, people who had been following along with our story to show their support,” the mother of one of the girls told The News.
The petition, which has 2558 signatures, was tabled by state Member for Shepparton Kim O’Keeffe on Tuesday, August 25, before she delivered a speech about it the following day.
“There was a group of Year 9 (Goulburn Valley) Grammar (School, where one of the alleged victims attends school) students there on school camp, who heard it and thanked Kim for sticking up for the girls,” the mum said.
“(Victorian Opposition leader) Jess Wilson spoke to the families and the two girls themselves.”
When her daughter was asked by Ms Wilson how she was, the answer was an enthusiastic, “I’m great”.
But her mum said that positivity extended as far as the support she had around her and “a great supportive school”.
“She still won’t get on the bus, she still won’t wait in the car alone, there’s always that sitting there, it still impacts their daily life, too,” she said.
“The further you get away from something, the less it consumes you, but we’re still all dealing with the consequences; the operations of our day-to-day lives have changed.”
The mum said while they waited to hear what the outcome for the alleged perpetrators would be, the consequences of violent crimes were immediate for victims.
One of the girls is still getting regular headaches and suffering nausea.
“We don’t want kids thrown in jail, we just want accountability and consequence; accountability and consequence go together,” she said.
The petition requests that the Legislative Assembly amends the Youth Justice Act 2024:
- Remove mandatory pre-court diversion requirements for young people charged with serious and violent offences;
- Strengthen the ability of Victoria Police to charge and bring before the Children's Court young people alleged to have committed serious public order, property or violent offences;
- Young offenders who engage in serious violent behaviour shall be mandated to participate in appropriate intervention, education or rehabilitation programs to promote accountability and reduce reoffending;
- Strengthen recognition of victim safety and wellbeing within the youth justice system; and
- Review the operation of doli incapax to ensure serious public order, property and violent offences can be appropriately considered by the courts.
“The physical and serious act of violence has left the victims traumatised, the families distressed and many members of the community deeply concerned about the safety of their children,” Ms O’Keeffe told parliament.
“No-one should have to go through what these families are going through.”
Ms O’Keeffe said she was pleased to table the petition on behalf of the families impacted.
“It is also important to acknowledge the strength and courage of these families as they have shared their experiences and their desperate want for change,” she said.
“I have seen firsthand the ongoing impact this is having on these families months later. We also need more support for victims and their families.”
She pointed to the families’ ‘Tipping Point’ movement, where hundreds of people gathered for a community event at Shepparton’s Victoria Park Lake and walked together against violence, following the alleged attack.
While the families wait for a response to their petition, the mum says they will “keep fighting, pushing for things to change”.
“It’s about showing you can stand up and have a voice, letting young people know there are pathways you can take to be heard,” she said.
