In the countdown to new legislation being introduced to Parliament, the Just Let It Go Foundation is pleading for real measures against violence, not another political circus.
“The lockout is not a means to reduce alcohol-fuelled violence … it is simply a crowd control measure,” says Just Let It Go (JLIG) director, Simon Turner.
“Young people today are more connected than ever. We need to use communication strategies to influence and raise standards of behaviour, not make the same mistakes as others [States].”
JLIG was formed last year as part of efforts by Gloria Steensen – the mother of Bruce Steensen – who was killed in a cowardly attack from behind by a stranger, on the streets of Brisbane. “Just let it go” were reportedly the last words said by the 53-year-old father and Queensland AFL Hall of Famer.
Turner is a former lobbyist for the ‘One Punch Can Kill’ initiative, and advocates stronger accountability and ‘smarter’ management of the issues of exposure to, and acceptance of violence by young people in the internet generation.
“We worked with driver safety academics on strategies to get behind the psychology of the violence, and looked closely at environments such as Fortitude Valley, where 10,000 people come every weekend night.
“We’re working on a ‘Collective Impact’ process, and identifying ways to communicate with at-risk people – through assets such as bar mats and coasters, in toilets and on digital displays, and in taxis and on the street.
“A message to young women is to reject this kind of behaviour – name and shame violence on social media to say ‘I don’t want to date a guy like this’.
“These kids are part of a new generation that has unprecedented access to violence on the likes of YouTube. Alcohol may affect that, but locking them out of entertainment precincts will just lead to a rise in suburban parties – the likes of which claimed Matthew Stanley almost a decade ago, and contributed to the establishment of Queensland’s Safe Night Out precincts in the first place.”
Turner says tough new laws are set to take effect over the next two years that apply to assaults leading to fatalities. They carry a measurable penalty of 15 years.
However, a brawl over the weekend in Fortitude Valley that began in the GPO Hotel before spilling out on the street saw twelve men arrested and charged with public nuisance – but no-one for assault or other more significant charges.
While Turner suggests police are sometimes loathed to scar a young person’s record with a formal charge such as assault, he stresses that stiffer penalties and better use of existing resources such as CCTV are essential as part of the solution.
“If you don’t dish out appropriate punishment, the behaviour doesn’t change.
“Banning orders are a really pertinent weapon. We know places such as the Valley are the choice of young people, so why not issue a permanent order banning them from the area, instead of just three months?
“Bring back Community Service – get kids doing Meals on Wheels on a Friday night. Take them out of their social environment and get them doing something for the community.
“The message is: ‘Don’t come to the precinct without your best behaviour’.”
JLIG reports that more than 80 per cent of alcohol in Queensland is sold in bottleshops, and that health experts agree preloading is the risky behaviour in need of address.
One of the Foundation’s suggestions is to reduce availability and increase the price point of off-premise liquor, by means of a levy, with the aim of reducing preloading and encouraging people to visit entertainment precincts earlier in the night.
