How safe is Canberra? (warning disturburbing)

[pixietrix]

Hi all,
some of the longer time bubhub users know me but many of you don't. I'm Kate and have 4 boys, aged 17, 16, 22 months and 3 months. I work full time but am on maternity leave - however some health issues with me and my last darling baby (Lachlan 12 weeks) have stopped me joining group meetings. I really do look forward to joining these soon.

But I post for a different reason. I have just got back from a 13 hour stint at the emergency department of canberra hospital where my 16 yr old son was in and out of conciousness after an assault and robbery on his way to the bus stop after a sleepover at a friends.

It seems at least 3 teens/ early 20's left a car to punch him in turn, then demand his wallet and mobile. After he gave it to them, they punched and kicked his face to a pulp anyway. I am crying as I write this, as I am sure you can all understand. His face is unrecognisable, the medical report says his nose is broken in 3 places, his eye socket is fractured in 2 places. Yet we are apparently lucky- he came an inch within losing his life and a millimeter within losing his eye.

He goes back to the ED on Friday so a specialist can assess the damage after the swelling has gone down. The hospital told me to pack a bag because the damage to his airways is likely to need emergency surgery. In the meantime, he stays home with antibiotics, pain relief and fear.

I am taking him to report the incident tomorrow (wed) if any of you have seen or know of similar attacks- let me know. But mostly- do you feel safe here? I always did- I never will again.
Kate

[DQ]

I'm so sorry for your son. :( I hope he heals and recovers both physically and emotionally, quickly.

Big hugs to you and your family :hugs::hugs:

[spoon]

I am so sorry. I hope you are all okay, and I hope your son recovers quickly. It must be soul destroying:hugs::hugs:

[lovingmotheract]

kate i'm sorry to hear that about your son.

give i'm my love will you, i hope they can fix him all up if you need someone to talk to hun i'm just phone call away.

and i know i will never feel that safe i never have at night time but for someone to just beat someone for money that is crazy i hope someone seen it.



p.s are you coming to hannah's party?

[Uniquey]

:eek: Goodness gracious, your poor darling son and :hugs: to you.

I do hope he has a very speedy recovery, both mentally and physically and I hope oneday your faith in humanity will be restored.

I also hope they find the cowards that did this, so they can't do it to another innocent unsuspecting soul.

And very sadly, this sort of thing happens everywhere, as as you've just found out, Canberra is unfortunately not immune :no:.

:hugs:again to you and your family.

[Mumma T]

OMG, I hope your son is OK. Lets hope karma gets the little pr*cks who did this in a big way and flying fast. I am sending heaps of healing vibes to you.
As Uniquey said, Canberra is not immune. I came from a pretty rough part of Melbourne and feel safer here, but am under no illusion that this stuff can and will happen. We just have to hope that it gets dealt with.

Once again I am sorry this happened to your son, it is very scary and I hope he is well very very soon.

[HoopDeeDoo]

OMG Kate that is so awful :(

I really hope they find the animals who did that to your son

Gosh I'm close to tears, what an awful experience he has gone through. I really hope he gets through it, mentally and physically he must be shattered :hugs::hugs::hugs:

[candiee]

OMG!
that is awful, i hope he recovers quickly, and i hope they catch the ******** that did that to him, why do people think they can do this to someone and get away with it, i too am a strong believer in karma and they will get whats coming to them sooner or later.

:hugs: for you and your son.

[ciehann]

im one of those paranoid kinda people, so i dont feel entirely safe anywhare!
i hope your son recovers quickly and with out any lasting damage! sending hugs!

[Jinglebells]

Oh what a awfull thing to happen to your DS :hugs::hugs:

I hope they manage to get the guys that did that to him, and that they get what they deserve:yes:

I hope your DS recovers fast :hugs:

[emd]

Very scary. I'm sorry it happened, I hope they catch the attackers and that your son's healing goes as smoothly as possible.

[Cluelessmum]

my thoughts and prayers are with you and your family. It is extremely sad to think that this kind of thing happens, not only in canberra but evrywhere :no:.

Wishing your boy a speedy recovery, and i hope he get the counselling he needs to heal.

[meggs]

OMG how cruel and malicious!!! I cant believe they sent you home from hospital... Im pretty sure you can get the police to come to you and the sooner the better, once when i was assaulted they came to my house...

I hope they get those responsible and hope your son recovers quickly :hugs:

[kjk1]

Wow what a truly horrible thing to happen, I hope that your son makes a quick recovery

[Lahri]

That is terrible, I am really sorry to hear that your son was hurt so badly. Hopefully the police will catch the people responsible for this attack and punish them accordingly. It is about time that people learned their actions won't be tolerated.

All the best for your son and I hope he has a speedy recovery.

[pixietrix]

Thanks so much everyone for your kind wishes. The Woden police have been fantastic and due to the extent of injuries they have referred it up for special investigation (forensics on his clothes, sketches and all the other CSI kind of stuff). They are coming out to us later tonight. I just hope they catch them and stop this happening to anyone else's children.

I am starting to wonder if the world has gone mad! While I was at the police station today we had another incident where some idiots in a stolen car where speeding up our street. They were spotted by an unmarked police car who put the flashing lights on causing the drivers to swerve into the first driveway they passed- ours. They jumped out of the car and escaped over our back fence but the car was still going and ploughed through our carport and smashed through our fence. :hair: What a week! I should be relieved because if I hadn't been out my car would have been in the carport.

Anyway thanks again for all your kind thoughts for our family- it has been very comforting.

Kate xxx

[Lahri]

Glad to hear the police are being really pro-active and trying to find the idiots that are responsible for this act. Keeping my fingers crossed that they find them.

Sorry to hear about your carport and fence, it really doesn't seem to be your week does it.

Hope your son is doing a little better this evening.

[cinnamonbear]

unfortunately Canberra is taking a turn for the worse

i hear a lot of these stories from my brother who works for the AFP

and in the last few months my cousin also assaulted he knew his attack tho and got assaulted as he stood up for a girl that was being picked on

he was so servely bashed the attacker was actually stomping no his head they thought brain damage may have been a real possibility.. and there may be long term damage to his memory only time will tell

He went a bit off the rails after that and was suffering for post traumatic stress..as he didnt deal with it and tryed to ignore it.

Make sure the police link you in with counselors and people to help your son deal with what happened.. it is vital that he does address what happened with a professional

i know this may come across the wrong way.. but he may also entitled to victims compensation.. So that may help cover any medical bills you have..

I'm sorry about what happened to your son and i hope they gt the little ****s before they assult anotehr innocent

:hugs:

[HoopDeeDoo]

Bloody Hell Kate it really isn't your week is it?

Glad it seems the police are doing all they can to help you and DS :hugs:

[cinnamonbear]

did it happen kambah wannisa by any chance kate

just talking to my borther and seems this group has done it a few times

it seems if the victim hands over the wallet mob so on they jsut take it and run back to car.. but when they say no they flog them

i hope they get teh little ****s soon.

[pixietrix]

did it happen kambah wannisa by any chance kate

just talking to my borther and seems this group has done it a few times

it seems if the victim hands over the wallet mob so on they jsut take it and run back to car.. but when they say no they flog them

i hope they get teh little ****s soon.

No- it happened in Deakin, but I think its the same group. The feds interviewed us tonight and they noted attacks similar to what you said from your brother. I am so sorry about your cousin- what is with these people? Can I pm you about this?

[mummybunny]

OMG Kate, i hope you and your son are ok..

I think this is an absolute disgrace, seriously, firstly beating someone for a phone and a wallet and a 16year old and then you find out they are in there 20 somethings just horrible, are people really that desperate these days i mean whats a phone cost these days $50 jesus...

God Kate i hope that your boy is ok, and i sure as hell hope that ******** that did this to him get caught and get what they deserve, and if you ask me a smack on the wrist is NOT enough...

Seriously though what i dont get is if these boys (i will call them boys even in there 20's the obviously are not men attacking a 16yo instead of being out working for their own money and phones.) have done this before why the hell are they still on our streets??? if the police know who they are why are they still walking our streets?? if someone has seen this happen why have the gotten away with it over and over??

Kate i Seriously hope these weak little boys get what they deserve and nothing else horrible happens to you and your family!

Just give me a pm or a call if you need a chat hun im hear to listen..

[canberramomma]

Oh, Kate, I am so sorry to hear about your son and then the damage to your property!

I know how you feel. My hubby was beaten up at the Tuggers interchange and hopitalised. It took a while for us all to feel safe, but I honestly believe that Canberra is much safer than most other cities.

Hugs and positive thoughts coming your way in bucketloads, hon!:hugs:

[Myztik]

How horrible :( :hugs: to you and yours.

[Shan]

Omg I'm so sorry to hear about your son! The poor little darling how scary. What is going in the world were people think they have the right to do this to someone so innocent. I was almost in tears.

We live across from some Dero's (excuse the term) and we are forever waking up to swearing,screaming, cars doing burnouts. :banghead:

Its terrible I'm affraid as our bedroom's are right near the road and with 2 young children its scary. I went over and aksed what all the drama was as i had enough and found out that the guy is on parole and was in jail for attempted murder :eek: get us paking i tell you! They are everywhere and a tiger never loser's his spot's.

I hope that they catch these low lifes. Thinking of your family! :flowerz:

[Shan]

PS And in Deakin it show's that it does't matter what suburb you live in as with us they are everywhere!

[redMaple]

:hugs: So sorry about your son. I hope he can quickly heal physically & you & your family can all heal emotionally.. that's truly disgusting that there are ppl out there thinking that kind of behaviour is ok or something. I don't understand what a lot of ppl are thinking these days.. obviously not at all it would seem :confused: Unfortunately I think despite being a season of good will & cheer, it instead brings out the worst in ppl, schools out - boredom, greed ppl want more money, presents drugs etc.. warmer weather & longer days brings more crime out..:( its so sad.
I felt safe until I fell preg with my first - since then I've felt more vulnerable. I have also lived in Canberra almost my whole life & have definitely noticed a change - but don't think its Canberra alone, its everywhere. Society is changing & I don't think for the better, tho I am prob guilty of being a natural pessimist.
I hope some extra nice things can happen for you & your family this Christmas & New Year :hugs:

[pixietrix]

Thanks again everyone for your overwhelming messages of sympathy and warmth.

We find out today if my Tim needs surgery to reconstruct his airway (they needed to wait for the swelling to stop before assessing this). He tells me he can breathe through his nose and I take this as a good sign. So fingers crossed he won't need surgery and all the broken bones will just give him one of those noses with "character".

I still love Canberra, I guess animals like these exist everywhere and I agree Xmas seems to bring them all out.:(

Wishing you all the very best for Christmas and a sincere prayer that your precious children never go through this.
Kate :noel:

[MrsMiggins]

I have gotten all choked up reading your thread! :(

I grew up in Canberra and have fond memories of my brothers & I riding our bikes all day during the school holidays, going to a friend's place after school & coming home after dark (must admit, my parents used to get quite cranky about that!), going to the Belconnen Mall with friends when we were all only about 12. Of course, I'm sure there was senseless crime back then too, but I still do not associate Canberra with such horrific attacks!!!

And to have the second incident happen so soon after!!! You must be completely shaken!! :hugs:

I dare not even imagine how I would be feeling if the same thing ever happened to one of my own children. I truly hope your DS heals quickly - both physically & emotionally and that they catch and suitably punish the vile, vile creatures who did this to him!

[canberramomma]

So sweet, how did you go today? Hope you guys are getting good news. You need it ATM!

[pixietrix]

So sweet, how did you go today? Hope you guys are getting good news. You need it ATM!

Thanks, although Tim's nose looked so crooked, the ENT specialist said no to the surgery, saying once the swelling went down, it might be fine. He was right. My boy has an "interesting" nose now and may not be able to follow his big bro into professional modelling, but ..... He is alive. He has almost full use of his eye. This is the best present I could have hoped for.

I read the police report even tho' Tim took DH to give the final statement because he didn't want me upset at the details of what they did to him. All I can say is I really wish I had listened to him and not read it. I have barely slept since. Those animals wounded my poor boy for life.

Personally, I am about to put in a complaint to the private hospital that turned him away without offering him phone or ambulance assistance despite his obvious head injury and young age. They made him walk almost an hours journey to TCH ED in the state he was in.
Wishing the best new year to you all.
Kate xxx

[greengables]

As a former Canberra resident of 27 yrs I am APPALLED. Simply disgusting and hope these horrible evil little b@stards are caught and given the full force of the law!

[Uniquey]

Pixietrix, I have been keeping an eye on this thread to see how your darling son is. I am so pleased to hear he's healing albeit slowly, and that he may not need sugery as originally thought. Having said that though, I do hope you all heal from the mental trauma, and I feel for you, especially having to endure on paper what they have inflicted upon your son. :hugs:

Please do make sure you put in writing a complaint about the Private Hospy he tried to initially attend, as that is beyond disgusting, as it is nothing for them to have called an Ambulance and stabilised him etc. Maybe you could even contact your local member and make a complaint to them about the Hopsy as well.

Sending you and yours lot's of healing vibes and I hope that 2009 will bring much well deserved happiness and peace for you all.

[Dadandtwo]

I'm sorry to hear about that happening to your son. Not sure what's happening these days, but I'm 42 years old and never hit anyone, but was king hit by a group of young kids at a bar a year ago because I was drinking with one of the thug's mother and he didn't like it. I then had my next door neighbour, an older single mother and director of a day care centre, tell me that it was justified because it was wrong for her to date so soon after she broke up with her ex...little did I know that at the time. But she also responded to me a few years ago when I asked why her kids weren't doing the lawn mowing..."Geoff, you will learn, kids these days don't do housework". How scary is it to hear and see stuff like this from grown mothers/parents. And we wonder why kids go off the rails. I have just spent a week on the coast with my kids and saw many fat, overweight parents who sat on their backsides the entire time I was there....be there for your kids...not difficult.

[sandy_1902]

its horrible everywhere and its just getting worse.

specially as the the younger ones 14 + start drinking and getting more and more violent towards anyone who crosses their paths wrong..

i live in sort of a party area (surfers paradise) and i wont go out with my partner and young son _20 months after 6-7ish cuz thats when they start drinking and my DP is not one to put up with ****.

he has been stabbed bashed so much so i understand how heartbreaking it us..

i really hope they can find who it was and punish them and maybe just maybe it will effect the attacks enough to stop.

[Bubs'n'Roses]

What a sickening thing to have happen to your young DS! Its so appalling when groups of these 'thugs' - lowlifes they are - band together to pick on one boy and then beat them up. I am glad to read your boy is okay and recovering.

It reminds me of years ago when my brother used to get beaten up all the time. I would listen to my poor mum on the phone to people worried as all heck about him and wondering why this had to happen. It was always gangs of slightly older boys picking on one innocent kid.

I hope they catch the losers and make them pay big time for what they did to your son, its simply disgusting.

[HoopDeeDoo]

\

I read the police report even tho' Tim took DH to give the final statement because he didn't want me upset at the details of what they did to him. All I can say is I really wish I had listened to him and not read it. I have barely slept since. Those animals wounded my poor boy for life.

Personally, I am about to put in a complaint to the private hospital that turned him away without offering him phone or ambulance assistance despite his obvious head injury and young age. They made him walk almost an hours journey to TCH ED in the state he was in.
Wishing the best new year to you all.
Kate xxx

Glad to hear he doesn't need surgery Kate

I really hope he's coping OK. Does he still seem traumatised by it a lot? Has he talked to anyone about it?

That is totally disgusting about the hospital, please do put in a compliant! They could at least of called you or a taxi? Anything but making him walk to another hospital!!

[Lahri]

I am shocked to hear that the private hospital turned him away and didn't even call a taxi or anything for him.

Being the devils advocate, I can understand why they wouldn't want to treat anyone that walks in the door, (for risk of everyone starting to do it) but a young boy with terrible wounds, you would think they would at least try to stabilise him and call his parents/taxi etc.

Glad to hear that he doesn't require surgery and I hope in time that he is able to feel confident again and that he isn't too traumatised.

Take care and I hope the new year brings happiness instead of more upset.

[ciehann]

is there any updates on this story....hubby said he heard about a case going to trial that sounded similar to this. he was also disgusted by the hospital turning a minor with head injuries and hopes that u take legal action! hope ur son is well!

[Chunkydunks]

I have gotten all choked up reading your thread! :(

I grew up in Canberra and have fond memories of my brothers & I riding our bikes all day during the school holidays, going to a friend's place after school & coming home after dark (must admit, my parents used to get quite cranky about that!), going to the Belconnen Mall with friends when we were all only about 12. Of course, I'm sure there was senseless crime back then too, but I still do not associate Canberra with such horrific attacks!!!

And to have the second incident happen so soon after!!! You must be completely shaken!! :hugs:

I dare not even imagine how I would be feeling if the same thing ever happened to one of my own children. I truly hope your DS heals quickly - both physically & emotionally and that they catch and suitably punish the vile, vile creatures who did this to him!


SO sorry to hear about the things that happened to you and I truely hope 2009 is a much better year for you and your family.

I too grew up in Canberra and was very much like MrsMiggins. And I lived in one of the "rough" suburbs in amongst some of Canberra's repeat child offenders. But that didn't stop us from feeling like these sort of things just didn't happen. How the world is changing.