This article discusses sexual assault.
Are we now numb to even the most heinous crime? Immune to the tragedy and trauma that envelops a community each time a murder or rape is committed?
Are evidenced-based trends on juvenile crime, or drug-fuelled crime, or gang-related crime even being considered in policies as politicians respond to crime levels with reckless law-and-order auctions?
Twenty years ago a murder was horrendous. It stopped us in our tracks and led to weighty debates about the defendants and victims, security, police, court and policymakers. Now, with a few notable exceptions where community outrage demands it, a murder passes almost without comment. That’s what’s happened in Brisbane in the past couple of weeks when two middle-aged men were slain in their own homes.
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And are we so indifferent to violence in our communities in 2021 that we allow the alleged gang rape of two young girls by up to 10 men to pass without a skerrick of debate?
Missed it? You’re forgiven. In short, four men have so far been charged with dozens of offences, including multiple counts of rape. Police are still investigating the alleged crime that Queensland police commissioner Katarina Carroll has described as “absolutely sickening’’.
“All I can say — it was just horrific to think what has occurred with two young girls, with a number of men, an extraordinary amount of offences. There will be more people charged I am confident over the next few days,” she said.
Legal impediments restrict some commentary, but what about a similar discussion to that which enveloped the nation after the rape and murder of Jill Meagher? Good debate can change policy, change communities, change laws.
Is it because Brisbane has fewer media outlets than other states that an alleged gang rape does not become an issue of national debate? Or that Queensland news rarely travels interstate? Or that sufficient information prohibits discussion about how two 15-year-old girls could end up allegedly drugged and gang raped by more than a car load of young men in a public suburban park?
Or perhaps it’s because policymakers and police and politicians are at a loss to advocate what might truly work to stem some crime.
They’ve said as much in relation to a parallel rash of juvenile crime offences in the past week. Indeed Queensland’s politicians are asking for suggestions — and police are working on plans which they say they will hand to the government.
Meanwhile debate is muted by populist cries demanding night curfews and mandatory sentencing, the end of bail and a revamp of the courts that hand it out.
Most of it is being waged, without evidence, and on the back of an Australia Day tragedy where Kate Leadbetter, Matt Fields and their unborn son Miles died after a hit-and-run. A teen is facing murder charges.
In the north of the state, Townsville has become an epicentre for police frustration over juvenile crime. This week a police officer was injured after a stolen car — filled with children — allegedly drove at police and the public at high speed.
Frustrated police are blaming parents, saying children as young as eight are wandering the streets, all night, without supervision.
Once the architect of youth bail houses, the Labor government abandoned that policy last year and is fighting claims it is soft on crime. An opposition call for juvenile curfews was rebuffed before last year’s election.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk says she wants answers as much as the next person. Some argue young offenders should be sent west to work on the land. Others want mandatory sentencing for some young criminals. Some demand that repeat juvenile offenders be named. Others say the age of criminal liability should be lifted.
The grip ice has on youth in some rural communities in the state is possibly the only issue not disputed.
But in the mish-mash of claims and counter-claims and political argy-bargy, there is little informed debate, and no big-picture plan to genuinely find a solution.
Forget politics. This is an issue at least as important as opening and closing borders. The accusations of two teen girls, who could be yours or my daughters, should be a sharp and very public reminder of that.
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault or violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au.
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Just what we need now – a moral panic from opionators in search of a purpose.
All reliable data shows ‘crime’ (not white collar which is just a misunderstanding amongst friends) is now lower overall than ever.
(This may be a function of so many previous activities – abortion, gambling, sex work, consenting homosexuality – are no longer subject to the whim$ of walloper$ and meretricious politicians on the make.)
Perhaps specific offences are more visible or glaring because of manufactured outrage by a certain type of media Moloch?
It couldn’t possibly be deliberate.
Could it?
Tell us – wouldn’t you be slightly miffed if it was your daughters?
You are obviously not a determinist!.
I find it interesting how often “imagine it were your daughter” is employed. Never “imagine it were you”.
The latter could be a particularly useful exercise for men, methinks.
To paraphrase Crown prosecutor Mervyn Griffith-Jones at the Lady Chatterly obscenity trial, “Is this something you would want for your wives & servants?”.
Yeah. Not right about crime DV Unlawful use Robbery and Break and enter are through the roof most of it not a misunderstanding between friends
Much like we’ve discovered during a pandemic, prevention is better than cure. We’ve stripped back all public health and education programs thanks to trickle down, governments don’t like a spending line on the budget when you can’t attribute it to an easily identifiable outcome. We know education, mental health, DV, etc programs work to reduce crime and increase social inclusion but it’s easier to let the crime happen then boost spending on gaols to show you’re tough, and a Laura Norder advocate
Education is the key word, when you’re dumbed down one doesn’t think about consequences.
Moral panic? Manufactured outrage? Pompous, off topic assertions in the face of 2 15 year old girls being drugged & raped by a carload of men.
Dont you dare start with anything suggesting those girls brought it on themselves.
Welcome to the real world – it is one of the side effects of the woke multiculturalism – I won’t elaborate because Crickey etc will censor a detailed discussion.
We should have UNIculturalism whereby the AUSTRALIAN culture continues to evolve but taking in the good parts of the myriad of imported cultures and dealing fiercely and expunging the unacceptable parts of the the imported cultures. So the reason why there is no outrage is that the other culture view is slowly being accepted which is that they deserved it for for getting themselves into that situation – and the courts and legislation do take a mild view of these offences.
Perhaps journalists will eventually take a less relaxed view of multiculuralism – as is happening in France.
So, this “woke multiculturalism”, is that what arrived at the steps of the US Capitol building the other day? Or was that the last stand of “UNIculturalism”? I can’t work out who you think ‘deserved’ what.
Australia is not the USA – culturally or legislatively
Stop the whataboutery. This is Australia.
The point he’s making is that not all parts of multiculturalism are great. Most are. The same as not every member of Antifa is a lawful protester some are violent extremists. To think otherwise is niave
Sorry again but what has this got to do with the article above, unless you know something the rest of us don’t
Which culture in out multicultural mix finds rape and murder acceptable?
some cultures blame the females for causing the rape – haven’t you been reading recent articles
Some do…haven’t you heard of ‘honour’ killings?????
Never heard of honour killings. Cause I have. Look it up
Nonsense.
Sorry but is there any implication that multiculturalism is to blame for these crimes? I gather you’re looking for anywhere you can insert your prejudices but in this case you’re completely off topic – sounds like Parler might be more u yr alley…
Thinking teenage girls should be blamed for crimes perpetrated against them by men runs in all cultures. I remember the Leigh Leigh gang rape and murder in Newcastle. It wasn’t Muslims blaming the victim, it was blue eyed blonde surfies and Police.
On no, Desmond; they’re cancelling your culture!
I think you’ll find that rape has been going on in ‘our’ culture forever, with the women being blamed. Remember the ‘she asked for it’ mentality? It still exists within the Police and Law Courts, and has nothing to do with multiculturalism.
No woman has ever made false rape allegations.
Ask Potiphar – Gen 39:12
Grace Tame, Australian of the year, and advocate for survivors of sexual assault, would presumably have a lot to say about these crimes, as well as the lack of outrage.
Soft politicians, soft laws,a judiciary that believes they are social workers and there is the result for all of Australia!!
What colour is the sky in your Australia?
That is rubbish bperson.
Most violent criminals have themselves been a victim of violence, and sexual crimes perpetuate similarly.
Punitive laws largely don’t work, because the emotional damage that underpins addiction and leads to crime is unaddressed.
There’s a place for toughness, and that’s with neglectful parents who don’t provide their kids with a home full of love, care and good boundaries, instead exposing them to violence and other non-child friendly activities.
Actually there is a
the cultural view amongst repeat young offenders that they are relatively untouchable – they can get away with minimal punishment which is merely a reprimand due to the sole factor of age. This is where there should be a strong case for the profiling of serial offenders and they should be treated differently. So different standards apply if you are a smart arse young criminal. That would change behaviour .
Is that age limit what you add when yelling “geddorff my lawn!” at young’uns?
define young’s ? and ‘geddorff my lawn’ is different from – car theft and manslaughter – yelling won’t fix that
Australia has a uniform age of 10 for mens rea or, roughly, criminal responsibility. Until about the end of WW2 the age across the Commonwealth was eight years of age. Some bleeding hearts (circa 2019) want the age increased to 14+
Take a look at Brazil where children are coopted to commit crime for adults. The place has the highest rate of homicide in the world. Wikipedia refers.