It’s the moment of madness that can leave someone seriously injured, disabled – or dead.
A single, wild punch thrown in anger, often after too many drinks.
The victim falls and hits their head, with devastating consequences.
It is happening all too often in Australia, and over the next three nights, we speak to survivors and their families – and look at how police and the justice system are dealing with the growing problem.
Part 1
PART 2
With the party season now in full swing, police are again cracking down on violence, fuelled by drink and drugs.
Tonight, advice from a senior police officer about avoiding trouble – and a trauma expert explains what happens to the brain in a king hit.
PART 3
In part 3 we examine whether our legal system is failing us when attackers are not charged with murder for king hits that kill.
In Western Australia, a one punch homicide law is already in place, and some are calling for a similar stance here.
We hear from one of New South Wales’s most senior barristers.
EXTENDED INTERVIEWS
Hear from Tom Biviano, his life changed after trying to break up a fight. Tom was walking home when he was struck – his injuries left him in a wheelchair with permanent brain damage.
Shirley Young, mother of Tom Biviano, opens up about the challenges her son and family face since the punch that changed her son’s life.
Tom Biviano and mother Shirley Young speak to NBN News after Beau Lawton, the man who punched Tom, was sentenced to 14 months gaol.
Shirley Young, mother of Tom Biviano, opens up about the challenges her son and family face since the punch that changed her son’s life.
Tom Biviano and mother Shirley Young speak to NBN News after Beau Lawton, the man who punched Tom, was sentenced to 14 months gaol.
Extended interview with Inspector Gerard Lawson
Extended interview with Terrence Healey, Barrister
STATISTICS
New South Wales Criminal Court
Between 2009 – 2010
– 22,006 males and 5,233 females were convicted of assault
– 4/5 of those were by males
– 31% were serious assaults causing injury
A bond is the most common penalty imposed on offenders convicted of assault, given to 41% of offenders.
– 1 in 5 (18.6%) of those convicted of serious assault causing injury receive a prison sentence, with the average sentence term being 13.3 months.
BUREAU OF CRIME STATISTICS AND RESEARCH NSW
Most common offence in NSW 2011
1. Malicious damage to property (graffiti + vandalism) in 2011 (86,852)
2. Steal from car (48,000)
3. Break and enter into dwelling (39,000)
4. Assault (non-domestic violence related) (37,000)
For more information or assistance:
VOCAL – Victims of Crime Assistance League Ph 49614756 www.vocal.org.au
Free drug and alcohol counselling – 24 hours a day, 7 days www.counsellingonline.org.au
Alcoholics Anonymous
1300 22 22 22
www.aa.org.au
Family Drug Support
1300 368 186
Family Drug Help
1300 660 068
One Punch incidents are, unfortunately, become more and more common. And the sad but simple fact is – one punch can kill. I know this first hand. My husband, Brett Meredith, was killed by one punch in January 2010, leaving our three young children without a father. Education is the key, as well as full-proof legislation for offenders. After his death, and although we received a guilty verdict for manslaughter, I successfully lobbied new One Punch legislation through the NT Parliament. It was a long and hard battle but I never gave up and I’m proud to say that we now have this legislation in place. Unfortunately it will happen again but if we can get the word out, through our own experience, maybe one life will be saved. And one life is enough..
Please don’t glorify cowardice with the words “King Hit” or “One Punch” it is a cowardly punch thrown when the receiver is totally unaware he is being targetted. The punch is meant to catch the person unawares and is designed to cause maximum injury so that the victim cannot retaliate. It should be called on every occassion in the media and the Courts for what it is. A cowards punch. The perpertator therefore cannot boast to his mates about his pugilistic prowse without calling himself for what he is a craven coward who is afraid to face a person in a fair fight in case he himself gets hurt.
The Judicial system must take a more sceptical attitude when taking evidence from the defence especially if there is no witness’ for the victim. Too often the best witness is deceased…..where are their rights? why is it all about the perpetrator?
Nothing will change until the system wakes up.
My son died in such circumstances…