RELATED:
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The legacy of a horrible tragedy in the small town of Whorouly might be a significant change in law for the whole state.
The Victorian government is under pressure from the Liberal opposition to strengthen punishments and parole laws for convicted murderers.
Karen Chetcuti’s death 12 months ago was one of an increased number of alleged murders across the state for 2016 and many have had enough of the violence.
Her friend Carol Roadknight and Wangaratta’s Tania Maxwell banded together to form the “enough is enough” movement and joined Premier Matthew Guy in Melbourne this week to call for victims to be considered more in criminal trials.
He wanted to give the Victims of Crime Commissioner more power to review complaints and take away the power of a prosecutor to remove sections of victim impact statements they find irrelevant.
“We need to ensure our justice system prioritises the rights of victims, and makes the process as simple as possible, because after enduring the horrific trauma and loss of a loved one, they deserve nothing less,” he said.
Ms Roadknight started a Facebook group for people to grieve for Ms Chetcuti together, but her passion developed into trying to prevent others from going through the same heartache.
She said she and Ms Maxwell were proud to be involved in change at the highest level.
“We are really enjoying being heard,” she said.
“We don’t get as much response from the government as we do the opposition, but that’s just politics.”
The ladies supported a report from the Victorian Law Reform Commission, which in August submitted 51 recommendations to the Victorian government on how to receive dignity and compensation during criminal trials.
“The expectation is (Premier) Daniel Andrews will now come back with a response,” Ms Roadknight said.
With the memory of Ms Chetcuti with them, the ladies will not give up.
“Victims do not deserve to have to live with this for the rest of their lives, but unfortunately they do and the government needs to step up and makes some changes and support these victims,” Ms Maxwell said.
