Lessons from a Random Attack.

Submitted: Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 09:43
ThreadID: 90152 Views:5164 Replies:21 FollowUps:31
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I hope this thread will help us all to be more prepared.


Last weekend our son and a couple of mates, being somewhat responsible, were at Melbourne Manhattan hotel and guessing they might be over 0.05 decided to walk the 5km home.

Its was after midnight and its a relatively open quiet outer suburban area.
They didn't get far when 2 cars pulled up quickly right opposite them and 5 people jumped out.
The 5 immediately and wordlessly launched a full on running attack breaking the jaw of one in the first blow, before the realization that they were under attack had set in.

The fight was vicious and short, the victims (average age 20) put up enough of a fight that they didn't end up on the ground with their heads kicked in and fortunately no weapons were involved.

During the attack drivers left in the two cars, moved them down the road a hundred meters , this seemed to be a signal to the attackers who broke off the fight and ran to the cars.
This manoeuvre had the effect of giving no time for the victims to even get rego numbers etc.

There was a lot of blood around and the victims had nothing but light clothing and mobile phones.

The injuries were not deemed life threatening, but after nearly an hour of cold pain and multiple calls the ambulance hadn't turned up and friends and parents took over.
(Our son only suffered a few cuts and bruises)





I guess with situations like this we look for lessons that might be learnt.

There appeared to be no motive in this event other than the thrill of just bashing up people.

Many of us here, end up in quiet out of the way places during our travels and one thing the emergency workers seemed to agree on hear was that if you look like a victim then you will probably become one.

In the past, as per road rage threads like 78789 or mini yasi 84159 etc we have been able to come out ok but I wonder what might have been done in this case other than not be there in the first place.
I know we practise getting rego numbers etc at the slightest pretence.

Interested in your thoughts !


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Reply By: Bill BD - Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 09:50

Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 09:50
He managed lesson number 1 - stay on your feet at all costs.
Lesson two he didn't manage - run like mad, preferably over a fence or two.
The biggest lesson - take a taxi... sad that it comes to this.

Its great that no one got hurt by these bastards.
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Follow Up By: Robin Miller - Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 09:54

Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 09:54
Thanks Bill

On your last point , unfortunately one had jaw broken in two places and other facial injuries requiring surgery.
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Follow Up By: Bill BD - Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 10:13

Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 10:13
Oops, sorry - I seldom fully read long posts. I had facial and nose injuries when I got bashed 40 years ago in the same sort of circumstances. I had sinus problems ever after until I had more surgery. Get a good doctor up front and get the reconstruction done right first time.
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Reply By: Member - Michael J (SA) - Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 10:18

Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 10:18
Hi Robin,

Indeed it is a sad world we live in and I guess that there is no easy answer to
avoiding what your son was involved in.

I had family members attacked in a similar method in Adelaide CBD a couple of years ago. Females in the party were treated in the same fashion.

The police suggested that it was not worth following up as it could cause them even more grief....go figure!

This type of unprovoked attack is not new, unfortunately, but did remind me of an incident that took place in the UK some years ago.

A very good friend of mine was walking back to his hotel when he was attacked without warning by 5 blokes. Sad for them, my friend had just won the UK open Karate championship and was going home from the competition.

3 hospitalised, 1 with multiple bruises and 1 took off never to be seen again.

It could have been worse Robin, but having said that it should not have happened at all.

Rgds
Michael
AnswerID: 470228

Follow Up By: Robin Miller - Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 11:45

Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 11:45
Hi Michael

Love your last story about how the tables where turned, I know I felt so good when we had a fortunes turn around in our own road rage incident.

But I guess to often the first incident you outlined is what mostly happens.


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Follow Up By: Nutta - Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 21:33

Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 21:33
I love a happy ending!

In similar circumstances the defendant was charged with assault because he beat the crap outta some ratbags and apparently should have held back!

The law ay!
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Reply By: Member - DAZA (QLD) - Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 11:06

Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 11:06
G/Day Robin

Up here on the Gold Coast it happens on a regular basis, and most of the attacks don't get reported re: media ect.

*Without sounding racist* a lot of this is instigated by Middle Eastern Youths.

My eldest son and daughter inlaw were at the casino some time back and while he was getting drinks at one of the crowded service bars he accidently bumped into this bloke, he excused himself and went on his way.

During the evening he noticed 4 to 5 men of middle eastern appearance following them around the facility.

Before they decided to leave my son went to the toilet.

Two of these middle eastern fellas followed him in.

Yes they picked on him, and he left one of them lying in the urinal trough.

The other coward took of out of there.

My son and daughter inlaw went straight over to a security officer and explained what had happened ect.

The security officer arranged for an escort out of the premises and carpark.

While talking to them they commented that it happens quite often.

My son reported the incident to the police re: his run in with the 2 blokes in the toilet, and before he could finish the copper asked him if they were middle eastern.

Cheers
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Follow Up By: Robin Miller - Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 12:39

Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 12:39
Hi Daza

The kids where at Gold Coast just the previous week at end of school and with all the warnings took extra care - must have let their guard down back home in familar territory.
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Reply By: Member - John (Vic) - Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 11:16

Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 11:16
What a world we live in and what sort of country is Australia turning into :((
It saddens me so much to see what is going on in this country.
I just read an article on how Sweden has changed from a country with almost zero crime rate to one with one of the highest levels of street crime within the European zone.
The reason!!.......mentioned by other above. :((

I'm just glad that as you said Robin, they went carrying knives or other weapons and the kids were largely OK considering what could have happened.

Did the cops have anything to say about it?

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Follow Up By: Robin Miller - Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 12:58

Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 12:58
Hi John

Really, I just imagine Sweden to be a very safe place.

The police seemed very interested in the medical side of things - I gather victim of crime compensation and paperwork comes into it.

We have a few clues , but I suspect we will have to do some detective work.








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Reply By: Ozrover - Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 11:36

Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 11:36
Robin,

Sorry to hear about the attack on your son & his mates, some people will say that it is a sign of the times but this sort of thing has always been going on! But is does seem that attacks like this are getting worse & more frequent.

In my sometimes miss-spent youth I had been in similar situations a number of times & a couple of things that I learned from my experiences are that if you make yourself seem to be an easy target then at some point you will get attacked!

If on the other hand you look & act like you might be too tough a nut to crack then they might leave you alone, this has worked with drunks, black fellers & bikies (Mostly lol) for me.

My 2 cents worth

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Follow Up By: Robin Miller - Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 14:46

Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 14:46
I take those words about being a target very much to heart Jeff , and extend them to our exploring type activites as well.

E.G. try to have alternatives to every situation, wether its chains for a bad track or a breathyser, or really knowing how much fuel you have..

Always assume we could be hit with a storm , or that you might be approached by undesirables.

Becomes automatic after a while , but the kids are still a bit invincible though they are learning, and this experience was seriously real to them.


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Follow Up By: Ozrover - Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 15:03

Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 15:03
Spot on Robin,

Some of the things that we do naturally as reasonably mature adults we only learned by our mistakes as kids!

i.e. Don't camp too close to a highway/community etc... leave the pub before the drunks start swinging at everyone in sight, don't walk around late at night in any town/city. don't try & chat up the biggest Biker in the bars missers lol, there are lots more but you get the drift!

The only reason that we are reasonably mature adults is that we actually survived childhood, despite all of the mistakes that we made, hopefully your young feller & his mates learned something from this incident so that something positive has been gained.

I've still got to look forward to stuff like this as my young bloke is 14 & thinks he's 30, another reason that we moved away from Sydney was that incedents like your young fellers were an every day occurance near where we lived.

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Reply By: The Landy - Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 11:52

Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 11:52
Seemingly, the only thing that could be controlled in this situation was how you got home. Organising a lift or catching a taxi will most likely eliminate most of the risk of a random street attack like this.
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Follow Up By: Robin Miller - Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 19:21

Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 19:21
That would have been my plan to Landy , but they figured by the time a taxi came they would have been mostly home without the wait and cost.

The cost now though is a lot higher.
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Reply By: The Bantam - Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 12:05

Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 12:05
Having driven cabs and worked in the sound and lighting industry I learned a few lessons years ago.

Lesson #1
Alcahol and trouble can not be seperated...sorry that is the way it is.

If you want to reduce you chances of being involved in violence or other trouble....stay as far away from places that serve alcahol or places where people who consume large amounts gather as possible.

Lesson #2
The later it is the more chance there is of trouble, and there are specific times when trouble seems to escilate......there is something about midnight and 2 AM....I think that is because most people who have jobs, families or something usefull to do with their lives have gone home to bed long ago.

Lesson #3
There are idiots in this world who have no respect for anybody.
There are more of this sort of people arround places that serve alcahol, particularly late at night...hence Lesson #1

Lesson #4
There are places, areas and establishments where all this sort of trouble is very much worse than others.


A friend that is a nurse and trainer specialising in critical care and advanced first aid....he works in hospital emergency rooms and provides first aid at concerts, night clubs and the like.

He tells me that the vast majority of weekend night time hospital casualty admissions are drug or alcahol related.
Some days there seems to be a definte transition from the sporting and powertool injuries , to the busted heads and drug overdoses that all come from the pub and club areas.

Ya get some idea of the extent of the problem when some night clubs have trained and qualified advanced first aid staff in attendence in addition to security.

Sorry to sound all hard hearted, but that is the way it is and it wont be changing any time soon.

So tell ya kids....if ya want to reduce ya chances of being invoved in violence to near zero..stay away from pubs and clubs late at night.

cheers




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Follow Up By: Robin Miller - Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 19:34

Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 19:34
Gotta few friends in those fields as well Bantam and there would be little argument with your words above.

Not so easy to convince those who feel invincible though.

The incident will has made them think and I suspect they won't be so vunerable next time but the cost has been high, and unlikely to make them do the really safe thing - thanks for you thoughts which come from being there.
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Follow Up By: The Bantam - Friday, Nov 18, 2011 at 13:28

Friday, Nov 18, 2011 at 13:28
Because I have most of the time been outside the situation, all that goes on and the risks stand out like dogs balls.

But for those inside the situation..traveling with it if you like, particularly if they have had a few and are distracted by the social situation ( girls v boys ect).

They simply can not see what is going on, often someone can have the snot beaten out of them meters away, and dozens of people will have no idea it happened.

cheers
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Reply By: TerraFirma - Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 13:46

Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 13:46
This is the world we live in. I will go to bed and wake up to go and pick them up sometimes for this very reason. Taxi's are not always available late at night and will not pick up teenagers unless you prior arrange and prepay etc. Ambulance system has issues, this is public knowledge and unless life threatening will not come when you need them. I try and teach my boys to be street smart, to see this coming before it happens, not always possible off course. The list goes on. I do remember this happening to me when I was their age and I do remembering their faces for a later time, I did catch up with all of them and thats another story.
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Follow Up By: Kimba10 - Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 14:00

Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 14:00
Love it when you catch back up with them, especially when there by them selves, that look on their face when they slooowly remember who you are.........Suprised any of them remember as most are brain dead drop kicks......
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Reply By: Kimba10 - Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 13:57

Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 13:57
Glad your sons ok Robin and hope the other fella with the broken jaw comes out ok. There is plenty of scum around these days and alot of this crap is caused by the doogooders as far as Im concerned (dont slap Johnny, get rid of the cain). No respect for anyone bar themselves, none for coppers,school teachers, elderly, and so on. I cant beieve the scum, low life oygen wasting thieves that belt up old people this is one thing that I just cant stand, I told my wife I swear to god if I ever cought anybody touching an elderly person I would beat the living shi t out of them and if I was driving by they would have a bullbar planted up there clacker, then I'd jump out and continue to beat the shi t out of them. Its bad enough they beat up the young and there so tough when there in their groups of 3/4 or more, cant fight for shi t when its one on one, and I agree with the above post. I hope you find out who it was and hopefully your son knows some good blokes. One side of my family is extremely good to keep in touch with when back up is required, just takes one phone call. We were out with a mate one night similiar subject to above post and he had just won an overseas comp for Judo (spelling) two blokes at 7Hills RSL (use to be our club at the time) started hassling his girlfriend while he was at the bar (good looking to lol) I told them to _ _ _ _ off leave her alone as her boyfriend was at the bar, well to look at him I could see why they smirked as he wasnt very tall, very skinny, but boy could he defend himself. He came back and to cut it short kicked the living crap out of them in seconds (this was after he also told them to get lost) Was great to see low life scum cop it, absolutely loved it. Big cheers from all the people around us, at least then there was minimal chance of getting stabbed compared to these days...........Anway hope they all come out of it ok..............
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Follow Up By: The Landy - Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 15:46

Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 15:46
Phew...I'm strugling to sort out the good guys from the bad guys, and the scum from the doogooders. LOL
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Follow Up By: Robin Miller - Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 19:49

Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 19:49
Hi Kimba

You got a bit of feeling their and this type of thing really does make one mad to say the least , but our systems today would probably have you behind bars before them.

I don't know what the answer is , but I do think we have to work harder at being more tolerant of those who view things differently and somehow try and raise our respect for each other all round.

This is so hard though when we are constantly under arbitary attack from things like auto camera fines for 2kmh over a speed limit without regard to any genuine circumstances .

Being just a number in a system just breeds disrespect all round and this spreads like wildfire and breeds an attitude of lets get away within if we can.






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Reply By: Member - Stephen L (Clare SA) - Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 14:23

Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 14:23
Hi Robin and Anne

Sorry to hear that about your son and his mates. Thank goodness the outcome was not serious.

It is about time that our Legal system needs a very big wake up call and starts to hand out the type of penalties that those low lives deserve........a very long time behind bars.


All the best to your family.



Cheers



Stephen
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Follow Up By: david m5 - Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 17:16

Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 17:16
The police haven't got time . their to busy picking on honest people with a car defect or something minor. people who commit serious crime need serious sentences. If only I was a judge.
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Follow Up By: dazren - Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 20:00

Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 20:00
David , don't blame the Cops, they have a very frustrating job policing these types of crime, they have the will and ability to catch the offenders, but get extemely frustrated when no matter how often the offender has committed the same type crime or how many chances he has been given in the past, The courts will let them off, with YET ANOTHER COMMUNITY BASED ORDER, which they have no intention of complying with. Then they are back on the streets the next day doing the same thing, and the poor old copper has to risk his safety to do it all over AGAIN, Jails are chock a block full, and jails cost a lot of money to build, It is simply a matter of fact, that the Goverment will not build more jails and punish the Offenders, it is more COST EFFECTIVE to let them off with a smack on the wrist, And as for US the general public that are the Victims, to the judicial system, we are Collateral Damage.
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Follow Up By: Robin Miller - Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 20:00

Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 20:00
Thanks for the wishes Stephen.

I'm not so convinced that big penalties are the answer - but then I tried to find support, which I thought would be easy, for the premise that bicycle helmets are good last weak and found it quite a battle, so who knows.

The certainty of being caught seems to be more of a deterrent and our treatment of those who might try to help -or be witnesses seems to cause more and more to just "not want to be involved" with systems that don't support you.

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Follow Up By: The Landy - Friday, Nov 18, 2011 at 13:48

Friday, Nov 18, 2011 at 13:48
Hi Robin

Have you read The Broken Window Theory and how Rudy Giuliani applied its principles to clean up New York in a ‘zero tolerance’ regime. He did this with great success, deal with the small petty crime, and it will most likely prevent further large scale crime.

I’ll leave others to debate the merit of have speed limits (I guess you have to have one!) and if you are over it, you run the risk of a penalty. If it wasn’t enforced it tends to lead people to think about what else they might be able to get away with... Anyway I’ll leave you to research for yourself.

On bike helmets, I recall most were in agreement that helmet’s were useful. But I understand your issue is with having a penalty for not wearing it. Personally, I doubt the police really care about this one, but the people you need to tackle are the lawyers prosecuting injury claims, and the insurance companies who have to pay out. But once again, allow people to ‘break-the-law’ unchecked and potentially it leads to other crimes. Emphasis on the word potentially, I understand EO members are ‘generally’ a law abiding bunch.

Good weekend ...
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Reply By: Grizzle - Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 16:19

Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 16:19
Very scarey having teenage kids.

I have a 20yr old son and a 17yr old daughter. I always tell my son run regardless of the situation.

If you are cornered flail away until one of you goes down.

Massive sympathy for your son, he probably did not have time to react.

hope all recover completely.

Regards,

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Follow Up By: Robin Miller - Friday, Nov 18, 2011 at 08:02

Friday, Nov 18, 2011 at 08:02
Hi Grizzle

I'm sure it was easier to tell them before they became independant and now know it all.

Hope yours listen.

Since found out the Manhattan is a "Hot Spot"
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Reply By: Axle - Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 18:22

Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 18:22
Hi Robin,... Sorry to hear that story, The whole things a absolute pitta these days, It just goes on and on , in every state &city!!, .. It all stems back to lack of dicipline in a kids life, ..this " You cant touch me' thing .totally caused by a pathetic Legal system, has been a big problem for years now ..All Kids are Good but sadly some are totally misguided in the society thats been created over the years.... Let the coppers plant that size 10 boot fair and square, Get the cane back into the schools, and a mouth full of soap wouldn't hurt a lot either.

Hope they have a speedy recovery.


Cheers Axle.
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Follow Up By: Robin Miller - Friday, Nov 18, 2011 at 08:06

Friday, Nov 18, 2011 at 08:06
Thanks Axle - your spot on with the soap to !
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Reply By: Begaboy - Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 20:25

Thursday, Nov 17, 2011 at 20:25
Triggers for such things can not be noticed by those being attacked. it could have happened hours before , something as subtle as bumping into a person at a bar when ordering drinks - or even looking at a hot chick walking past ( which is there girlfriend ) Or maybe the group of friends could have been a little loud at the pub which is also a trigger

what ever happened to old school , one on one - no weapons - punch the hell out of each other - sort it out then and there then winner buys the looser a beer ....


BB
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Follow Up By: Robin Miller - Friday, Nov 18, 2011 at 08:13

Friday, Nov 18, 2011 at 08:13
Still workin on that and you may be right BegaBoy.

Last night we found out that a few words were shouted at guy with broken jaw just before he was hit , his memory of event was mostly lost, but he now remembers that much.

Have to admit I've made the odd Wolf whistle in the past , not knowingly offending anyone , but who knows , offence may be taken more easily by someone who has had a few.
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Reply By: Member - Dunworkin (WA) - Friday, Nov 18, 2011 at 00:14

Friday, Nov 18, 2011 at 00:14
Robin sorry to hear about your son and his mates. When our kids are out they always know to call us and 'Dad' goes and picks them up, (and their friends), they always called about 1/2 an hour before they were ready to come home, that way we had time to get there, pick them up from the door, no walking the streets. As for taxi's these days, don't know about anywhere else but here in Perth there is a problem with girls using them, there are a lot of sexual assaults and 'offers' placed on girls that are being reported, so even the taxi's aren't safe anymore. BTW the girls still call us when they have been to concerts or anywhere like that, we are talking about married girls here LOL, Hubby even goes and picks up SIL's after work night outs, LOL. The biggest worry we had when our girls were going through their Night Clubbing days was they were out and about when the Claremont Killings were happening, and more often than not it was in that area that they would go clubbing. Fortunately they were pretty switched on and always called us when they were ready to come home.
Hope your guys come out of it OK.
Cheers
Deanna


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Follow Up By: Robin Miller - Friday, Nov 18, 2011 at 08:18

Friday, Nov 18, 2011 at 08:18
That would have been a scary time Deanna.

We had a lot of success with picking up the Kids at all hours up until they became independant with there own cars and now its "Not cool" to be picked up by parents.

Sounds like yours remembered the lesson longer.

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Follow Up By: Member - Dunworkin (WA) - Friday, Nov 18, 2011 at 13:37

Friday, Nov 18, 2011 at 13:37
It was a very worrying time Robyn but we got through it. I think our kids realise that it is easier to get Dad to drop them off and pick them up than find parking spots close to venues LOL. All jokes aside we prefer it that way, at least we know they are home and safe.
Cheers
Deanna


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Reply By: Member - Bucky - Friday, Nov 18, 2011 at 07:00

Friday, Nov 18, 2011 at 07:00
Robin
Sorry to hear about the attack. Fortunately wounds heal, but the memories never go away.
Taxi's are the order of the day with us.
No longer feel safe walking around Melbourne after 10:00 pm.

Then again is it any better in any city ?
Chers
Bucky
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Follow Up By: Robin Miller - Friday, Nov 18, 2011 at 08:21

Friday, Nov 18, 2011 at 08:21
I know there were a couple of posts about saftey in the bush but you have to wonder if the hardest part isn't getting across the city to the bush Bucky.
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Reply By: Outback Gazz - Friday, Nov 18, 2011 at 10:58

Friday, Nov 18, 2011 at 10:58
Sorry to hear about that Robin ! Would hate to see what this country will be like in another 25 to 30 years !

But in the meantime - the local police are hiding behind a tree waiting to catch the hardened criminals who do 10 kph over the speed limit !

Happy ( and safe ) Travelling


Gazz
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Follow Up By: Robin Miller - Saturday, Nov 19, 2011 at 08:33

Saturday, Nov 19, 2011 at 08:33
What can one say Gazz - much time was spent getting the forms filled out correctly and without spelling errors.
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Reply By: Member - have a go - Friday, Nov 18, 2011 at 11:53

Friday, Nov 18, 2011 at 11:53
Hi Robin,
While I was reading this I was thinking of the story 78789. I remember when you posted it and think of it often.
Another thing they are doing is have scanners and know when police are being called. It was on one of those current affairs shows. With saying that last night as end of year school festivities have started a group partying smashed fences and what ever else. But when the police arrived there was no one to be seen. Is this our next wave?
I sure hope your son and his mates recover from this horrible experience.
Sharon
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Follow Up By: Robin Miller - Saturday, Nov 19, 2011 at 08:29

Saturday, Nov 19, 2011 at 08:29
Hi Sharon

I have also seen the facebook type sites in which information flow is fast and effective - bit of a problem also , but I'd rather have that than have it as an excuse to monitor public phone conversations etc as a response.

I don't think technology is a solution here for either side.

Victim has 5 screws , and now released.
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Follow Up By: 93 Navara - Saturday, Nov 19, 2011 at 18:55

Saturday, Nov 19, 2011 at 18:55
Scanners don't work in Vic, digitally encrypted network
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Reply By: Members Pa & Ma. - Friday, Nov 18, 2011 at 16:20

Friday, Nov 18, 2011 at 16:20
Hi Robin,
Sorry about the kids.
All the replies had good advice.
I agree with Axle & John in particular.
There is all law & no justice in this country.
There is no respect or responsibility taught in schools any more.
You try to protect yourselves even in your own home & you are charged!
However, you can't trust some of the Taxi blokes either,for many reasons. Remember the 85 year old raped by the Taxi driver ? I can't get it out of my head. The driver was middle eastern in appearance.
There was an old lady had a nasty fall in Melbourne, the person who helped her had an appointment & left her with us in Melbourne at the Tram stop. It took an hour of repeatedly ringing for a Taxi. She couldn't find her daughters phone no & was panicking that if we called the Police to take her home she'd be in trouble.
She was quite confused.We were from out of town. I think she might have sneaked out or thought she'd be O.K. When the taxi came we paid the Driver S20 to take her home.
When this rape was on the news we hoped it wasn't our lady but realized that it could have been & we should've put her on the tram. The driver was not from this country.
She wasn't badly hurt in her fall.
Take care, safe travels.Bye for now Ma.
Bye for now, Ma.
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Follow Up By: Robin Miller - Saturday, Nov 19, 2011 at 20:44

Saturday, Nov 19, 2011 at 20:44
You wouldn't get a lot of disagreement with your reply guys.

I guess though that this is the current situation and we have to come up with stratergies to make the most of it.

I know that the responses to this incident and also my own will be to think more carefully about planning a trip , even those to the local store.

I think as you outlined that the first bit of incomplete bad news on TV could make one worry a lot.
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Reply By: Member - Michael and Chris (QL - Saturday, Nov 19, 2011 at 08:02

Saturday, Nov 19, 2011 at 08:02
Hi Robin,
Sorry to hear about your son and his mates. Both my wife and I have agonised about this situation arising as our boys grow up (10 & 12 now ). There is only so much you can do to protect them and as they grow older and become more independent they need to look after themselves. My wife and I signed the boys up to learn Muay Thai 2 yrs ago as a form of self defence. The boys loved it immediately and are rising thru the ranks. They both played Rugby for 5yrs but have chosen Muay Thai over footy. The discipline and respect they are taught as a part of Martial Arts is incredible ( something not taught enough in Australia ) and the culture of a Martial Artist makes us very proud of them. Now the kids have got Mum and Dad training as well, we get some funny looks from other campers as we train while we are travelling. In short, we are confident that when the boys leave the nest, they will be not only confident in themselves, but also disciplined and respectful of others
AnswerID: 470394

Follow Up By: Robin Miller - Saturday, Nov 19, 2011 at 20:58

Saturday, Nov 19, 2011 at 20:58
That martial arts teaching of disipline and respect sounds wonderful Michael/Chris I'm sure it builds their self confidence.

It works a little different for us but I see parallels , in this thread I have been more interested in what we can learn to make our travels safer and not said much about the actual incident.

It really could have been a lot worse but the kids involved are heavily into motocross racing and it might surprise some but this requires you to be super fit and drug free etc else you get wiped out on the start line.

Every one of those involved knows what it is to get up after a bad fall and keep going - probably not self defense as per your outline , but the metal attitudes they learn clearly helped with some of the messier details I left out of this thread.






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FollowupID: 744932

Follow Up By: Member - Michael and Chris (QL - Saturday, Nov 19, 2011 at 22:35

Saturday, Nov 19, 2011 at 22:35
Robin,
It sounds like the boys may have been lucky that they all are fit from motocross, things might have turned out a little different if they weren't fit. One of the problems the boys will face now will be a fear of will it happen again, this is one of the side effects of going thru this type of trauma. Basically these thugs have taken the boys confidence and freedom to walk home from the boys. Hope all turns out well and they can resume a normal life again. Cheers Mick
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FollowupID: 744941

Reply By: nao - Saturday, Nov 19, 2011 at 09:39

Saturday, Nov 19, 2011 at 09:39
what happened was wrong.

but it is unfortunately a taste of current society and kids need to recognise their environment and naivety

The manhattan website promotes boxing and kick boxing so theres a start.

kids need to recognise these type of things do happen and learn to avoid the situation through forward planning...e.g...dont visit venues promoting fight nights, make safe travel arrangements to and from, designated driver doesn't drink or get >.05, if the venue vibe is rough then move on...

having said this, ive seen my own 19 yr old son threatened because he said 'hey' to girl.... nothing more than two campers walking past each other in a caravan park.....her boyfriend didn't like it..

think I might go try to invent an anti moron pill...and make myself a squillionaire..



AnswerID: 470402

Follow Up By: Robin Miller - Saturday, Nov 19, 2011 at 20:36

Saturday, Nov 19, 2011 at 20:36
Hi Mao

I would agree that most of the time things like designated driver etc can work - incidents like this occurred because they were forgotten at the time , and this made the travelling more risky , it seems from comments yourself and others have made is that its easier than I thought to upset some people.

I must remember that.

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FollowupID: 744929

Reply By: Member - John B2 (VIC) - Saturday, Nov 19, 2011 at 19:45

Saturday, Nov 19, 2011 at 19:45
This is a sad incident, but is very common nowadays.

But also is has nothing to do with what ExplorOz is about,
selective moderation.

Have flack jacket on

Cheers
AnswerID: 470435

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