Members of the Redlands community gathered at Alexandra Hills on Wednesday night (February 28) to express their concerns on support measures for victims and close contacts of youth crime.
Organised within three days by Bianca Kemp and her contacts, the evening welcomed guest speakers Russel Field and Voice for Victims founder Ben Cannon, and a community representation of almost 50.
Ms Kemp said most attendees were victims or closely linked to others who had suffered from a youth crime.
“Everyone who attended seemed to get something from it, which was the point really,” she said.
“We had Russel Field and Ben Cannon speak, who both talked their truths and their pain, and then opened up the meeting to the floor to hear from others in the community.
“We, the community, heard Ben’s story, and how he lives with daily PTSD and how he felt that there isn’t really support for victims.
She added this was the reason he founded Voice for Victims.
Additionally, Russel Field, father of the late Matt Field spoke about his experience. In 2022, his son Matt was killed by a teenage driver under the influence of drugs, alongside his partner Katherine Leadbetter and unborn son, Miles.
Ms Kemp said with the death of their grandbaby, son and his partner there was little support for Mr Field and his wife.
“Who’s looking after the victim… how are people getting over this… how are they living with this?
Who is supporting them to get through this hard time,” she said.
“That is something we are definitely lacking and Voice for Victims gives those victims a voice, including the unsung victims and so many people that we don’t hear about… the silent victims.
“It can even be a parent, or a member of the family that’s trying to figure out how to get into bank accounts and change the house over and months down the line you’re still fighting that – because there is nothing in the place to support.”
