For those who couldn't be heard
I am a strong supporter of the victims that have been sexually abused and I am glad they're finally getting some justice. I am a daughter of a man who was abused as a child by several of the priests, and I would like to see some support for the families that have been left behind. My father committed suicide 11 years ago because of the trauma he went through. There needs to be some recognition for the men that have taken their lives at the hands of these priests.
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My family and I have been without a father, husband and grandfather for 11 years that we should've been able to have him for; he won't be able to meet his grandchildren or be by his kids' sides when they reach life milestones. Like I said, I support every single victim and survivor coming forward and I'm glad something is finally being done about it all, but I'm seeing stories about survivors, when there are also families of the deceased who are struggling emotionally while this Royal Commission has been happening. We've lost loved ones prematurely and we will never get those years back that we lost.
For the past 5 years, I have struggled to understand how someone I love can be gone so quickly and how these monsters; I will call them monsters because they don't deserve to be called men, could ruin someone's life like they did, to push these men to the point where they don't want to be alive and to destroy not only their lives but the generations that follow. The pain inflicted on my dad wasn't his fault, none of it was his fault and I don't blame him for leaving us so soon, but the hurt will never go away. The pain has been passed down to his wife and 4 children and we have to live with it for the rest of our lives, and knowing he's not here to get the justice he well and truly deserves makes it hurt even more. I would like to ask the readers to remember the victims that couldn't continue their fight, along with these strong survivors fighting for what's right.
Tayla (surname withheld by request), Buninyong
Bells and whistles
How come the City of Ballarat Active Transport Working Group will produce a new Ballarat Cycling Action Plan before there is any action plan for cyclists to ride around the streets of Ballarat? If you read the Cyclist Book of Rules, you will see that most of the cyclists in Ballarat are breaking the law because in the Cyclist Book of Rules, it states that all cyclists must wear a helmet, that all bikes must have a working bell or horn on their bikes, and also a reflector on the rear of their bikes. How are cyclists going to warn motorists not to open their car doors if the cyclist hasn't a working bell or horn on their bikes?
Clive Dawson, Skipton
more police needed
The release of new statistics from the Crime Statistics Agency on Thursday has once again reflected what many locals have experienced; incidents of crime in our community continue to increase at an alarming rate. Statistics comparing the year ending 31 December 2015 to the previous year show an 8.1% state-wide jump in criminal activity. In Ballarat, crime has increased by 10.07% which once again puts us well above the state average. Across Victoria, drug dealing and trafficking offences are up by 17.7% and weapons and explosives offences are up by 17.1%. The number of recorded family violence incidents has increased by 9.2% to 74,385. These statistics are sickening and the need for more police officers to protect local communities is urgent. In last year's budget, the Andrews Government did not commit to funding a single new police officer to protect Victorian families. Local mums and dads contact my office every day to express their concerns about the safety of their children. I am calling on the Andrews Government to listen to their concerns and support our police by providing the resources they need to keep us safe.
Joshua Morris MP Western Victoria.
