This is a list summary produced by Jennifer Pilgrim, a researcher at Monash University's department of forensic medicine:
Most were booze-fuelled bashings
A single blow to the head
When the fall occurred their head hit the pavement
This rendered them unconscious
More than a third they did not know each other
Occurrence was at a licensed venue or out side one
Most were on their way home
40% happened between midnight and 6.00am
One of the interesting findings and therefore assertions was the myth related to the idea that being relaxed means a less likely chance of being seriously hurt.
Those who were hit were mostly unexpecting it, they were relaxed, totally oblivious as to what was about to happen – bang – fall – head hits ground – either immediately fatal or soon to die.
I for one cannot recall how many times this has come up in general conversation, that if you fall down steps or such a situation, that being relaxed will be beneficial to any serious injury.
Aisha Dow who wrote this Sydney Morning Herald article not that New South Wales, Western Australia and the Northern Territory has introducing legislation on 'one-punch' law after an outcry after one such penalty was limited by current laws to a minimum of four years imprisonment.
It was also noted that there is no 'so-called' defence of intoxication and this brings the owners of hotels and bars and such like into the frame as to their responsibilities.
But John Green of the NSW Hotel Association responded: ''It's not good enough any more to use hotels as whipping posts. We need to target those thugs in the community who think it is OK to pre-fuel and hit people.''
Alcohol fuelled
That seems to be the central issue as the perpetrators are not thugs, rather they are your every day good-bloke neighbour and friend, who with a gut-full of alcohol lose it and for whatever reason, go for the King-Hit as if it's some kind of a rite of passage.
It can certainly be verified medically and experientially, that as Victoria Police superintendent Rod Wilson said, he'd noticed problems when patrons ''hit the air'' after leaving bars.
Victoria has the king-hit situation covered by its Manslaughter legislation according to State Attorney-General Robert Clarke but the public at large across the nation have clearly demonstrated by public opinion that something specific is required.
But there are legal and human rights voices against such any draconian move as there is a view that although such situations are horrific and totally unjustifiable, there is a counter argument that such circumstances (not only the King-Hit) may confront anyone of us in a myriad of circumstances. Terrible things happen. Most of us could be behind bars if the pendulum balance was misdirected.
The Conversation recently cited a University of Sydney article on this subject by Raewyn Connell Professor of Social Sciences discussing the NSW Government's new legislation on this issues, suggests these positive ideas.
"If we want to know why some young men get into zones of exception, confrontations and episodes of violence, we might ask what else is happening in their lives. Is our society giving them secure jobs? Worthwhile work to do? Models of positive relations with women? Occasions for care and creativity?" (theconversation.com/king-hits-young-men-masculinity-and-violence-22247)
Outcomes
For the families of those whose loved ones have lost their lives in such a useless and senseless situation justifiably feel desperately aggrieved as we all do when such circumstances are on newscasts. For them the statistic is 100%. Their loss is irrecoverable.
The other side of this coin, is the question, do perpetrators walk free? Their lives are also largely ruined. Many fall in to despair and alcoholism, the guilt is overwhelming. Should Manslaughter be agreed upon, we can turn to the Old Testament for precedence, where it speaks of assigned cities where those who created such mayhem through such in-adventure could live in some sense of normality and be free of revenge.
The families of both parties are forever damaged. We all wish such things did not happen. We all wish anyone of us could enjoy a walk with friends and not be assaulted. Personal responsibility is a bit like multi-national corporations' self discipline in financial and health & safety governance – it all requires governable limits.
Dr Mark Tronson is a Baptist minister (retired) who served as the Australian cricket team chaplain for 17 years (2000 ret) and established Life After Cricket in 2001. He was recognised by the Olympic Ministry Medal in 2009 presented by Carl Lewis Olympian of the Century. He has written 24 books, and enjoys writing. He is married to Delma, with four adult children and grand-children.
Mark Tronson's archive of articles can be viewed at (www.pressserviceinternational.org/mark-tronson.html)
