Introduction:

I'm going to be honest, I tried to write this petition using the AI option, but I don't believe the petition will have as much impact if I do not write it in my own words. I am passionate about reforming our incredibly loose bail laws, and I know this is a concern shared by many other Victorians. This petition will highlight my experiences with crime, and how the justice system failed to give me the justice and protection that I deserved in hopes to spread awareness and bring in some actual real change. 

My Story:

When I was sixteen years old, I experienced an incident that lead to my passion for bail reform, and my strong beliefs against crime. One Friday a friend of mine from school and I decided that he would stay the night at my house and hangout over the weekend. This was in the western suburbs, and we had to take the train to Williams Landing Station, something we had done very often. When we arrived and walked down the stairs, I saw a group of teens sitting at the bus stop we needed to be at. As we approached, two boys stood up and gave us handshakes and greeted us. As we had never met them, we were immediately suspicious of how friendly they were being. 

During the incident they asked me where I was from, who I knew and if I claimed some kind of gang. I do not have any affiliations, and my response was to say that I was from around that area. This is when the boy in front of me pulled out a flick knife. He put it to my throat, saying that he would cut my throat and rummaged through my pockets. I had nothing of value. I was in school clothes with target shoes, and no money in my possession. His actions were born out of a want to intimidate. He would then go on to cut my clothes up, saying that I better not move or he would stab me. Eventually my friend and I were able to walk away, and I called my Dad. He immediately told me to call the police, which I did. The police were great, they came very quickly and I felt an aura of safety when they were there. 

The police then collected my clothing for evidence and took statements from me and my friend, and the offenders were arrested a few days later. I was kept in the loop by a detective at Werribee Police Station. I am very grateful for the effort they put in over those few months. 

The following events are what have led to my distrust in our bail laws, and the passion that has me writing this petition at 11:59pm on a Sunday. I was informed that the offenders had been given bail 21 days after their arrest, and their trail was scheduled in a few months. Eventually they would receive a Community Corrections Order. My attackers saw only three weeks for violent armed offences. This ruling lead to significant fear, and the anxiety and concern from that situation still lingers almost three years later. I want change, and I know I am not the only one. 

Goals of the petition:
We need to make it clear to the lawmakers that OUR SAFETY is far more important than the rehabilitation of offenders. I have listed some goals for this petition. 

1. The Bail Act 1977, in simple terms usually requires an offender to already be on bail for a separate offence for denial of bail to be deemed reasonable. Instead, the determination of bail should focus on the direct risk the offender poses to community safety, the risk of the offender evading and the amount of credible evidence the prosecution can present which proves that the offender is a danger to the public.
2. This petition aims to encourage the courts to stop considering incarceration as a last resort. The right to safety is an inalienable human right, and if incarceration is needed to protect a community, it must be applied.
3. Prioritise community safety over the rehabilitation of offenders who are a risk to the public. 

Thank you for hearing my story and I hope that you will join me in bringing in this much needed change. You have the power to protect our communities. If this petition reaches enough signatures, I will be sending it through to Matthew Hilakari who is the state member for Point Cook, Saltwater, Altona meadows, sanctuary lakes and Werribee South so he can present it to the state government.