Cairns women gripped by fear after alleged gang rape
A Cairns woman says she is gripped by an overwhelming feeling of “sheer terror” since an abhorrent alleged gang rape at knifepoint last week.
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A Cairns woman says she is gripped by an overwhelming feeling of “sheer terror” since an abhorrent alleged gang rape at knifepoint last week.
In the early hours of Friday morning, the life of a Manunda woman and her partner were changed irrevocably when three youths allegedly broke into their home armed with knives before committing five counts of rape.
Police allege three teenage boys busted into a Manunda home before dragging the woman from the bed she was sleeping in, with her partner at knifepoint, and committing the horrific crime in the next room.
A retired Cairns nurse and veteran who asked not to be named lives alone in Bently Park with her pet dog.
Feeling “utterly vulnerable” in her own home, the 52-year-old has taken extreme security measures to protect herself.
“This includes installing security doors, reinforced screens, window locks, roller shutters, a full alarm system, and motion sensors to monitor any movement that is not my own or my dogs,” she said.
“Despite these measures, the fear remains.
“Every door in my house is locked (and) at night, I barricade myself behind a locked bedroom door, knowing that even these precautions may not be enough.
“It feels like only a matter of time before I become the next victim.”
Ms Furlong said she was not just anxious, but genuinely living in fear.
“Simple tasks like going shopping or stepping outside my home have become distressing, this is not paranoia, this is reality,” she said.
“The crime wave sweeping through our community is sickening, and the devastation it has caused is beyond words.”
Residents say they are frustrated at a perceived failing of the justice system, including the omission of rape from the list of offences that now carry increased penalties under the LNP’s Adult Crime, Adult Time reforms.
Associate professor of criminology Dr Mark Chong said the intense reaction was due to a number of factors including that the rape is alleged to have happened at night and was committed by strangers who were teens.
“The crimes involved a home being broken into (and) this egregiously violates the cherished hope that many people have concerning their residences being their proverbial ‘castles’, places of safety and comfort,” he said.
“Given that youth crime is such a hot-button topic in North and Far North Queensland, it is no wonder that this terrible incident has caused the general public in Cairns to be so shocked and concerned about it as it reinforces their existing levels of concern and anxiety over this issue.”
The accused boys are each facing charges of rape, armed robbery, deprivation of liberty, enter dwelling and commit, and enter dwelling with intent by break at night while armed in company.
Regardless of rape being included in sentencing reform, the alleged rapists could get longer behind bars if charges against them were proven, due to being charged with enter dwelling and commit indictable offence, which now carries a maximum sentence of life in jail with a non-parole period of 15 years, Dr Chong said.
“That said, it would still be up to the sentencing judge to decide the actual period of detention,” he said.
A justice rally organised by Cairns rape survivor Brynie Rosser-Guyatt will go ahead on Sunday at Freedom Park on the Esplanade to coincide with the LNP’s inaugural community cabinet.
Premier David Crisafulli said the reaction to the upcoming forum had been “amazing” and aside from topics of health and housing there was one issue that stood out above all others.
“It’s crime,” he said.
“And I’m looking forward to talking to people who are coming forward with their solutions for future changes to that Youth Justice Act, because we need to.”
The changes can’t come quick enough for the terrified Ms Furlong.
“We do not have the means to defend ourselves, please someone help us,” she said.
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Originally published as Cairns women gripped by fear after alleged gang rape
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