A Melton teenager is urging her peers to “think before you act” and consider the potentially devastating consequences of their actions.
Catholic Regional College student Tegan Lafranchi is the mastermind behind last week’s One Punch Forum chaired by Melton Police Inspector Stephen Mutton.
The 17-year-old told Star Weekly her idea to host the forum came early this year, when she and her family watched a 60 Minutes episode called The Coward’s Punch. It told the story of Bondi bashing victim Michael McEwen, who was left in a coma after being punched and kicked by three men.
Tegan said she was haunted by how such an event would impact on her life and the life of her family and what she could do to curb the growing epidemic of alcohol-fuelled violence.
“People need to be awoken to the severity of their actions, to learn how this can impact on them and their families,” she said.
“I think we need to learn there are plenty of ways to go out and have fun and if you’re going to drink, then do it in moderation.
“Together we can all make a difference.”
Inspector Mutton told the forum the coward’s punch was a nationwide issue and said there had been 581 assaults, excluding family violence, in Melton alone in the past year.
“Kids have to take responsibility for themselves,” he said. “As we know, one punch can be fatal.”
Charlie Bezzina, a former Victoria Police detective who investigated the death of Victorian cricket coach David Hookes after a punch outside a St Kilda pub, warned students offenders could pay a high price.
“No one is immune,” Mr Bezzina said. “For every action there’s a reaction and we can ever take back what we do.
“You lose a life and that’s it, you can never take it back. The actions you take affect your mother, your father, your whole family.
“Look at the actions and the ripple effect it has on you and everyone around you. You’ll certainly never be able to replace a life.”
