The recent tragic murder of Jill Meagher is a powerful wake-up call for all Australians that we all need to be very concerned about our safety and violent behave in our community and we should all be demanding that state governments do far more to address the issue.

For many years the statistics about crime in Victoria have been manipulated for political purposes and it is about time such behaviour stops. Violent crime has doubled in Victoria in the past ten years and it is on the increase. We can never resolve a problem until we acknowledge that it exists. Our politicians need to stop playing politics with people’s lives and get on with the job of protecting the community. We should not be spending billions of dollars on unnecessary water treatment plants, home insulation and the like and re-direct these monies into policing and the criminal justice system.

Protecting people and reducing crime must be paramount within a modern society. I would encourage everyone who has been affected by the horrific murder of Jill Meagher to write to their respective State Attorney General and demand that more is done, and not just seen to be done or promises to take action in the future, but action taken immediately to reduce crime. Two immediate responses would be to significantly increase the number of front line police as well as a blanket cover of our cities with CCTV.

For victims of crime support and advice call 1800 000 055 or go to www.victimsofcrime.com.au

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