Townsville crime victims reveal how the system has failed them

Disgruntled and grieving victims of crime in Townsville have relived their most traumatic moments to MPs investigating support for victims of crime. See what they said.

John and Sue Sandeman at a state government hearing in Townsville, investigating how the police, public prosecutors and court services support victims. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Disgruntled and grieving victims of crime in Townsville have relived their most traumatic moments in front of MPs investigating support for victims of crime.

The state Legal Affairs and Safety Committee held the third of seven scheduled public hearings on Thursday, as part of an inquiry looking at how the police, public prosecutors and court services support victims and how restorative justice may be improved.

Long-time reform campaigners Sue and John Sandeman told the committee of the struggle getting updates on the homicide investigation into the death of their 17-month-old grandson.

Mason was murdered in 2011 and as grandparents, the Victims of Crime Assistance Act did not classify them as victims.

When they walked into the courtroom for the trial of the killer, Mr Sandeman recalled the shock of seeing a photo for the first time of his heavily bruised grandson.

John and Sue Sandeman at a state government hearing in Townsville, investigating how the police, public prosecutors and court services support victims. Picture: Shae Beplate.

The man who murdered Mason was eventually found guilty at trial in Cairns, after a mistrial in Townsville.

The Sandemans were calling for an expansion of the victims of crime legislation to cover travel costs for families in a similar situation to the one they were in, when they had to travel from Townsville to Cairns for the retrial.

The state government’s Legal Affairs and Safety Committee at a meeting in Townsville on Thursday. Picture: Shae Beplate.

The support for a victim’s family was inadequate, Ms Sandeman said.

A lot of professionals learnt through textbooks, but the “raw, gut-wrenching” pain could not be explained, only felt, she said.

Townsville man Wayne Mitchell told the MPs that victims of crime really wanted justice.

Mr Mitchell claimed he and his family members had been victims of crime numerous times during the past 10 years, but said the police did not arrest anyone.

Townsville man Wayne Mitchell says victims of crime are not supported because too few offenders are arrested. Picture: Shae Beplate.

Currumbin MP Laura Gerber asked him what could be done for victims in his situation, and Mr Mitchell replied “just get them (perpetrators) arrested”.

Keeping victims informed during investigations, prosecutions and parole is also in the committee’s terms of reference for the inquiry.

The terms of reference also include expanding the Victims of Crime Assistance Act to include home invasion victims in the eligible victims category, because at the moment if the person whose house is broken into is not physically harmed, they’re not eligible for support.

Support workers and lawyers who help victims of crime in Townsville also said their piece at the hearing.

Selectability is an organisation that supports people with mental health issues.

General manager Sally Bawden said two ways victims were being assisted were fridge magnets which the police gave out; the magnets have a QR code that sends the person through to contact Selectability. Another program was a bike repair shed the company runs, where while people restored bicycles, they found it easier to open up and talk, Ms Bawden said.

Erin Costello, from the Women’s Health Service, said the sooner a "victim-survivor" got a “trauma-based response”, the better, but that would require more training for police, hospital staff and the public prosecutors.

An NQ Women’s Legal Service representative said their clients were often not told whether a perpetrator had been charged or granted bail.

The service’s deputy principal solicitor, Samantha Ievers, said she got a lot of good feedback about victim support liaisons in Cairns and Townsville.

“We need someone as a connector between the victim and the prosecuting authorities,” Ms Ievers said.

Cooper MP Jonty Bush instigated the inquiry. Ms Bush’s sister Jacinta was murdered in July 2000 and her father Robert died later that year after being punched.

The Legal Affairs and Safety Committee are now expected to hold public hearings in Rockhampton, Logan, the Gold Coast and Ipswich, and a report is due by May 19.

Originally published as Townsville crime victims reveal how the system has failed them