State government inquiry into support provided to victims of crime moves to Townsville

The families of two North Queensland murder victims will be among those sharing their shocking experiences at an inquiry into support for victims of crime in Townsville.

Grandparents of murdered Townsville toddler Mason Parker, Sue and John Sandeman are calling for reforms to be made to the Victims of Crime Assistance Act. Picture: Alix Sweeney

The families of two North Queensland murder victims will be among those sharing their shocking experiences at an inquiry into support for victims of crime in Townsville.

A state government inquiry into how to improve support for victims of crime will hear from victims and advocacy services when it is held in Townsville on Thursday.

John and Susan Sandeman, grandparents of 17-month-old Mason Parker who was brutally murdered in Townsville in 2011, will be among those sharing their stories.

Mason John Parker.

Mason was murdered by his mum’s boyfriend, which sparked a decade-long battle to protect children at risk of abuse.

His grandparents are now calling on the state government to expand upon the Victims of Crime Assistance Act 2009.

“The term victims needs to be broadened,” Mrs Sandeman said in her submission.

“In our case, our grandson was murdered and being grandparents, we were not eligible for any timely assistance or support. The law does not include us as victims.

“Close family members and sometimes close friends need support as well. They too help victims and need to know how and what is the best way to assist these broken people.”

They also called for improved, co-ordinated services to ensure trauma-informed, victim-centric and timely support for victims as they go through court.

“Currently, at the Townsville courts, there are no victim support personnel on the ground,” she said.

“Only the bare minimum court services such as giving individuals direction as where to go for court proceedings and fine payments.”

Mackay's Tim Pullen, who was killed in April, 2012.

Leanne Pullen, the mother of slain Mackay man Tim Pullen, has also shared grievances about how her family was dealt with during the early stages of her son’s homicide investigation.

The whereabouts of her son’s body have been a mystery for more than a decade after he was violently snatched from a North Mackay unit, stored inside a nightclub cold room, and dumped in remote bushland towards Collinsville in April 2012.

In her submission to the inquiry, Mrs Pullen said the way police conducted the interview process and told them their son was believed dead should have been handled better.

“This experience will haunt me forever,” Mrs Pullen said.

“We felt like criminals ourselves and were treated so disrespectfully and without an ounce of compassion.

Leanne and Gary Pullen, parents of manslaughter victim Timothy Pullen, speak to the media outside Magistrates Court in Brisbane. (AAP Image/Dan Peled)

“I believe that members of QPS in such a position need to be trained how to treat family members with respect, compassion and empathy — learning that you have lost a loved one under such heinous circumstances deserves at least that!”

She said their experiences with the Queensland Police Service (QPS) after that were favourable, and they established a good relationship as their son’s investigation progressed.

An open forum will be held at the Rydges Convention Centre in Townsville from 11am to 2pm on Thursday.

The Legal Affairs and Safety Committee is holding public hearings in cities across the state between April 17-May 3. A report will be tabled on May 19.

Originally published as State government inquiry into support provided to victims of crime moves to Townsville