"Police are appealing for public help following the alleged rape of two international tourists in Alice Springs last night. [see photo of vehicle in report]
...
Commander Michael Murphy, of Alice Springs Police, says two women approached police in Palm Circuit in the early hours of the morning and reported that they had been sexually assaulted.
He says the alleged assaults occurred near the end of Maconochie Road in Mount John where they were sleeping in their vehicle overnight.
Commander Murphy said the tourist's vehicle was broken into and three Aboriginal males allegedly forced the women to have sex with them."
On Google it looks like it is a built up area on the edge of town.
Kaid said
04:19 AM May 3, 2012
Our 28 yr old daughter lives in Alice.Tourists have been harrassed in the Mall at night. Sadly it was only a matter of time before the problem escalated to this level. Some Indiginous behaviour is absolutely disgusting. The people of the town are afraid people will be too scared to visit Alice.
Landfall said
04:27 AM May 3, 2012
You can definetely count us as one of those "too afraid to go there."
Getting there, staying there and returning.
Forget it, a bit like Wilcannia.
Dusty
Kaid said
04:30 AM May 3, 2012
I love Alice Springs . It is not all bad. But, if the problems of the town are not addressed sadly it will die
pricey43 said
06:38 AM May 3, 2012
I agree Kaid. We love going to Alice and spend quite a bit of time there on our trips.
This story could be anywhere. Sleeping in your car in Palm Circuit is not the smartest thing to do. It would cost them $10-$15 per person for a powered site in a secure camp ground.
You simply need to use some common sense. If you travel to a country or town you don't know, you go carefully , you do your home work and you get advise.
bill12 said
12:28 PM May 3, 2012
This sort of thing happens in many towns around australia. Townsville has problems , and I would not walk around certain areas at night. Anywhere there are drunks living on the fringes of towns with no respect for the law or themselves, there is going to be problems. The police just turn a blind eye as they can,t do a lot. The courts give the drunks a smack on the wrist, and they think they are immune to prosecution.Pretty sad reflection on our society and laws. Bill
Weedy Pigeon said
02:07 PM May 3, 2012
Cairns is nearly as bad. Don't wander the streets here after dark and definitely don't try sleeping on the streets. Backpackers have also been involved in quite a lot of violent crime as well. The days of safely travelling Australia and sleeping in your car are long gone. I've camped on practically every beach in Queensland, but that was back in the 70's. I'd need a german shepherd and an auto 12g to do that now. I was accosted for money in broad daylight, 10 feet from a security camera at our local IGA store a week ago. Lots of Pacific Isalnders as well as Indigenous causing problems.
_wombat_ said
02:36 PM May 3, 2012
pricey43 wrote:
I agree Kaid. We love going to Alice and spend quite a bit of time there on our trips.
This story could be anywhere. Sleeping in your car in Palm Circuit is not the smartest thing to do. It would cost them $10-$15 per person for a powered site in a secure camp ground.
You simply need to use some common sense. If you travel to a country or town you don't know, you go carefully , you do your home work and you get advise.
sorry to disagree with you pricey43, we were in our van in a caravan park (in Vic) asleep at 1230 am when somebody tried to break into our van, they pulled the struts of the window and broke it, so being in a camp ground is NOT ALWAYS that secure.
beiffe said
03:45 PM May 3, 2012
If you need to sleep / rest go 10kms out of town and you should be save as most low life's don't have a car or are too lazy to travel far. Plus most need their mates close as they are not that game when it comes to a crunch.
Always park so you are pointed outwards so you can start up and drive away.
Bit harder for a van but I feel a lot more secure in the bush than in caravan jail or in the main areas of a street especially near pubs or in areas with a known problem.
Regards Brian
Clyde Camel said
06:34 PM May 3, 2012
It is easy to blame "indigenous" people or "middle eastern" people or any other group, but when you think about it, any group who is living in low socio economic circumstances will display similar antisocial behaviour. So let us not label people along racial profiling lines. Let us instead address removing inequity and injustice from our society and we will then reduce the incidence of crime, particularly violent crime.
johnq said
09:10 PM May 3, 2012
Clyde Camel wrote:
It is easy to blame "indigenous" people or "middle eastern" people or any other group, but when you think about it, any group who is living in low socio economic circumstances will display similar antisocial behaviour. So let us not label people along racial profiling lines. Let us instead address removing inequity and injustice from our society and we will then reduce the incidence of crime, particularly violent crime.
It is not about race it is about serious crime and security.
There was no profiling or labelling. Through incredible luck the victims are alive and gave descriptions of their assailants.
What description do you think the police should have used instead?
Low socio-economic status is no excuse for crime, world-wide there are millions living in abject poverty without social welfare who are happy and do not commit serious crimes like breaking and entry, rape and robbery with violence. These offenders exercised choice and I would be happy if life meant life for them when caught. However the stiff sentence is perhaps an unlikelihood and that is another problem.
Nicholstones said
10:08 PM May 3, 2012
Johnq, Clyde wasn't referring to the original report, but to the several other posts who made comments implying that the only people who cause such problems are dark skinned of some sort. I'm with Clyde on this, I've felt uncomfortable around all sorts of nasties who come in the entire range of possible ancestries.
johnq said
10:59 PM May 3, 2012
Travellers and especially women should be able to travel without constant fear of robbery, assault and worse.
In the Sixties young women hitched around Australia. As a poor student (most are) I hitchhiked to the shops or across the country, sleeping in a small hikers tent. There has been a degradation of country towns. Alice has become notorious over recent years.
What prevents those country towns from remaining as peaceful and welcoming as they previously were? Remembering that there always were poor families living in and on the outskirts of country towns, but most of them have also been caused to flee.
However, quite apart from that and now that the subject has come up, there is a common feature in the country towns that I now avoid but once enjoyed. If I was to give young tourists advice that factor would not escape mention. But what might others say instead?
wendyv said
02:14 AM May 4, 2012
We have stayed in Alice Springs several times. It - and the surrounding areas - have lots of great places to see and things to do. It should not be left off the itinerary for caravanners. We stay in a good, secure caravan park, stick to the main areas when walking around - and only in daylight.
Sheba said
02:40 AM May 4, 2012
Just heard on the news, that one arrest has been made so far.
Cheers,
Sheba.
Sheba said
02:47 AM May 4, 2012
johnq wrote:
These offenders exercised choice and I would be happy if life meant life for them when caught. However the stiff sentence is perhaps an unlikelihood and that is another problem.
Gotta agree here. The Justice system badly needs a thorough overhaul as far as I'm concerned. These days, Punishment rarely fits the Crime worse luck.
Cheers,
Sheba.
Kaid said
03:48 AM May 4, 2012
Unfortunately I do know what I am talking about as far as this problem goes. My daughters flat mate is a lawyer in this town. The "locals" know that as far as the law is concerned they are pretty much untouchable and their behaviour reflects this. The Police and the whole Justice System needs the proverbial.
Cruising Granny said
03:52 AM May 4, 2012
The jails are already full of drunk drivers who offend and even kill people, and every crime known to society. Respect is missing. Somewhere between my childhood and the current children discipline has gone, respect and manners are no longer taught. Everything has gone feral in some neighbourhoods. Poverty is no excuse for bad behaviour and crime should be dealt with severely. Everyone has the right to live in peace and harmony, and no one has the right to take that away.
pricey43 said
08:49 AM May 5, 2012
_wombat_ wrote:
pricey43 wrote:
I agree Kaid. We love going to Alice and spend quite a bit of time there on our trips.
This story could be anywhere. Sleeping in your car in Palm Circuit is not the smartest thing to do. It would cost them $10-$15 per person for a powered site in a secure camp ground.
You simply need to use some common sense. If you travel to a country or town you don't know, you go carefully , you do your home work and you get advise.
sorry to disagree with you pricey43, we were in our van in a caravan park (in Vic) asleep at 1230 am when somebody tried to break into our van, they pulled the struts of the window and broke it, so being in a camp ground is NOT ALWAYS that secure.
I agree that things do happen in Caravan Parks Wombat but at least there are people close by with very thin walls who can come if you scream out. Especially in this case, 2 girls travelling alone.
jimricho said
01:43 PM May 5, 2012
pricey43 wrote:
_wombat_ wrote:
pricey43 wrote:
I agree Kaid. We love going to Alice and spend quite a bit of time there on our trips.
This story could be anywhere. Sleeping in your car in Palm Circuit is not the smartest thing to do. It would cost them $10-$15 per person for a powered site in a secure camp ground.
You simply need to use some common sense. If you travel to a country or town you don't know, you go carefully , you do your home work and you get advise.
sorry to disagree with you pricey43, we were in our van in a caravan park (in Vic) asleep at 1230 am when somebody tried to break into our van, they pulled the struts of the window and broke it, so being in a camp ground is NOT ALWAYS that secure.
I agree that things do happen in Caravan Parks Wombat but at least there are people close by with very thin walls who can come if you scream out. Especially in this case, 2 girls travelling alone.
I think a caravan park anywhere would be much less risky than sleeping in a car/RV in downtown Alice Springs!
I'd like to know where the hell one could get a "powered site in a secure camp ground" in Alice Springs for $10-$15 per night!
Last year I stayed in caravan park in Townsville that was allegedly the pick of the Townsville parks. While I was there there was a robbery in a van only about six sites away from mine. I learnt that this wasn't unusual for this particular park (which was full of "ferals"). For that and other reasons I won't be staying in that park again.
jimricho said
02:02 PM May 5, 2012
Landfall wrote:
You can definetely count us as one of those "too afraid to go there."
Getting there, staying there and returning.
Forget it, a bit like Wilcannia.
Dusty
In my view comparing Alice Springs to Wilcannia is very "wide of the mark" to say the least. Alice, and the Red Centre generally, is well worth a visit. Just make sure you budget for staying in a caravan park and don't consider free camping. I've stayed at both the "G'day Mate" and "Macdonnell Range" caravan parks in the Heavitree Gap area without any problems.
Jim
Sheba said
02:50 PM May 5, 2012
At least they've arrested all 3.
Cheers,
Sheba.
pricey43 said
07:28 PM May 5, 2012
I'd like to know where the hell one could get a "powered site in a secure camp ground" in Alice Springs for $10-$15 per night!
2 years ago, Dave at G'day Mate was letting backpackers stay on powered sites for $10 perhead per night.
Jimricho, I agree with you. We have stayed at both and in the grounds of Pitchi Richi sanctuary and have felt completely safe, though they had been having some trouble at G'day Mate before we got there.
At Mc Donnell Ranges they do a night check of the park at about 10 p.m.
-- Edited by pricey43 on Saturday 5th of May 2012 07:32:37 PM
johnq said
11:09 PM May 5, 2012
A case where hindsight is a cruel teacher. The two women wouldn't have free camped had they known the risks in that area. There would not have been any red flags on any tourist information at their disposal.
pricey43 said
03:11 AM May 6, 2012
johnq wrote:
A case where hindsight is a cruel teacher. The two women wouldn't have free camped had they known the risks in that area. There would not have been any red flags on any tourist information at their disposal.
I'm sure if they had enquired about free camping they would have been told of the dangers in the area.
Cruising Granny said
06:26 AM May 6, 2012
No matter where camp we must always be alert for the less scrupulous, opportunistic window shoppers. We carry computers, cameras, mobile phones, food, other electrical goods, car fridges, and the car. Look, Lock, Leave should always be on your mind. Check around the park to get a feel for the place. There's a park in Townsville which gave me the creeps as I drove in. Long-term/permanent ferals seem to occupy the place. I pulled out of there fairly quickly. Might be the same park Jim fled from. I had a similar feeling in a caravan park at Logan on the Gold Coast. Even when we free camp there are some unwritten rules. Park at least 20 kms out of town. Check for cans and stubbies, wheelie marks and other vandalism. Don't stay there. Don't free camp alone anywhere, ever! Stay safe and upright friends.
_wombat_ said
02:30 PM May 6, 2012
CG I not to sure about you tip saying 'Don't free camp alone anywhere, ever!'
Somebody has to be the first to stop for the night at a free camp, we usually stop our day driving about 1400, just after the lunch crowd has gone, we then have a few hours by ourselves before somebody joins us, if nobody turns up by 1700 we move on to the next spot where somebody has already set up camp for the night.
johnq said
10:02 PM May 6, 2012
Cruising Granny wrote:
No matter where camp we must always be alert for the less scrupulous, opportunistic window shoppers. We carry computers, cameras, mobile phones, food, other electrical goods, car fridges, and the car. Look, Lock, Leave should always be on your mind. Check around the park to get a feel for the place. There's a park in Townsville which gave me the creeps as I drove in. Long-term/permanent ferals seem to occupy the place. I pulled out of there fairly quickly. Might be the same park Jim fled from. I had a similar feeling in a caravan park at Logan on the Gold Coast. Even when we free camp there are some unwritten rules. Park at least 20 kms out of town. Check for cans and stubbies, wheelie marks and other vandalism. Don't stay there. Don't free camp alone anywhere, ever! Stay safe and upright friends.
That is the simple, practical advice that should be a sticky on caravan and camping forums.
I free camp but nowhere within sight of a public road and it would usually require daylight to get there.
The Australian government should be giving the same travel cautionary advice to tourists on entry as it does to its own nationals when departing the country. Either that or fix what is a deteriorating social problem that has lowered our standard of living. The police have been overwhelmed.
As a student I back-packed thousands of miles with a sweetie who was Miss University and we never had a problem. But now there are country towns I wouldn't stop in to buy a loaf of bread and I would drive around where I have the chance.
Gerty Dancer said
02:10 AM May 7, 2012
I wonder what advice is given to those young travellers from overseas when they arrive and hire their campervans? I'd hate to think that our kids travelling overseas werent warned of simple safety rules about camping in dodgy areas. I just hope this doesnt happen again.
We've met kids from several countries whom we'd have been proud to have as our own. Others who were rude and noisy late at night recently in a caravan park, where at least we could call the manager who brought instant quiet. I've also seen them stealing toilet paper for heavens sake! They are all different, thankfully.
"Police are appealing for public help following the alleged rape of two international tourists in Alice Springs last night. [see photo of vehicle in report]
...
Commander Michael Murphy, of Alice Springs Police, says two women approached police in Palm Circuit in the early hours of the morning and reported that they had been sexually assaulted.
He says the alleged assaults occurred near the end of Maconochie Road in Mount John where they were sleeping in their vehicle overnight.
Commander Murphy said the tourist's vehicle was broken into and three Aboriginal males allegedly forced the women to have sex with them."
On Google it looks like it is a built up area on the edge of town.
You can definetely count us as one of those "too afraid to go there."
Getting there, staying there and returning.
Forget it, a bit like Wilcannia.
Dusty
I agree Kaid. We love going to Alice and spend quite a bit of time there on our trips.
This story could be anywhere. Sleeping in your car in Palm Circuit is not the smartest thing to do. It would cost them $10-$15 per person for a powered site in a secure camp ground.
You simply need to use some common sense. If you travel to a country or town you don't know, you go carefully , you do your home work and you get advise.
The days of safely travelling Australia and sleeping in your car are long gone. I've camped on practically every beach in Queensland, but that was back in the 70's. I'd need a german shepherd and an auto 12g to do that now.
I was accosted for money in broad daylight, 10 feet from a security camera at our local IGA store a week ago. Lots of Pacific Isalnders as well as Indigenous causing problems.
sorry to disagree with you pricey43, we were in our van in a caravan park (in Vic) asleep at 1230 am when somebody tried to break into our van, they pulled the struts of the window and broke it, so being in a camp ground is NOT ALWAYS that secure.
Always park so you are pointed outwards so you can start up and drive away.
Bit harder for a van but I feel a lot more secure in the bush than in caravan jail or in the main areas of a street especially near pubs or in areas with a known problem.
Regards
Brian
It is not about race it is about serious crime and security.
There was no profiling or labelling. Through incredible luck the victims are alive and gave descriptions of their assailants.
What description do you think the police should have used instead?
Low socio-economic status is no excuse for crime, world-wide there are millions living in abject poverty without social welfare who are happy and do not commit serious crimes like breaking and entry, rape and robbery with violence. These offenders exercised choice and I would be happy if life meant life for them when caught. However the stiff sentence is perhaps an unlikelihood and that is another problem.
In the Sixties young women hitched around Australia. As a poor student (most are) I hitchhiked to the shops or across the country, sleeping in a small hikers tent. There has been a degradation of country towns. Alice has become notorious over recent years.
What prevents those country towns from remaining as peaceful and welcoming as they previously were? Remembering that there always were poor families living in and on the outskirts of country towns, but most of them have also been caused to flee.
However, quite apart from that and now that the subject has come up, there is a common feature in the country towns that I now avoid but once enjoyed. If I was to give young tourists advice that factor would not escape mention. But what might others say instead?
Just heard on the news, that one arrest has been made so far.
Cheers,
Sheba.
Gotta agree here. The Justice system badly needs a thorough overhaul as far as I'm concerned. These days, Punishment rarely fits the Crime worse luck.
Cheers,
Sheba.
Respect is missing.
Somewhere between my childhood and the current children discipline has gone, respect and manners are no longer taught.
Everything has gone feral in some neighbourhoods. Poverty is no excuse for bad behaviour and crime should be dealt with severely.
Everyone has the right to live in peace and harmony, and no one has the right to take that away.
I agree that things do happen in Caravan Parks Wombat but at least there are people close by with very thin walls who can come if you scream out. Especially in this case, 2 girls travelling alone.
I think a caravan park anywhere would be much less risky than sleeping in a car/RV in downtown Alice Springs!
I'd like to know where the hell one could get a "powered site in a secure camp ground" in Alice Springs for $10-$15 per night!
Last year I stayed in caravan park in Townsville that was allegedly the pick of the Townsville parks. While I was there there was a robbery in a van only about six sites away from mine. I learnt that this wasn't unusual for this particular park (which was full of "ferals"). For that and other reasons I won't be staying in that park again.
In my view comparing Alice Springs to Wilcannia is very "wide of the mark" to say the least. Alice, and the Red Centre generally, is well worth a visit. Just make sure you budget for staying in a caravan park and don't consider free camping. I've stayed at both the "G'day Mate" and "Macdonnell Range" caravan parks in the Heavitree Gap area without any problems.
Jim
At least they've arrested all 3.
Cheers,
Sheba.
I'd like to know where the hell one could get a "powered site in a secure camp ground" in Alice Springs for $10-$15 per night!
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
2 years ago, Dave at G'day Mate was letting backpackers stay on powered sites for $10 perhead per night.
Jimricho, I agree with you. We have stayed at both and in the grounds of Pitchi Richi sanctuary and have felt completely safe, though they had been having some trouble at G'day Mate before we got there.
At Mc Donnell Ranges they do a night check of the park at about 10 p.m.
-- Edited by pricey43 on Saturday 5th of May 2012 07:32:37 PM
I'm sure if they had enquired about free camping they would have been told of the dangers in the area.
We carry computers, cameras, mobile phones, food, other electrical goods, car fridges, and the car.
Look, Lock, Leave should always be on your mind. Check around the park to get a feel for the place.
There's a park in Townsville which gave me the creeps as I drove in. Long-term/permanent ferals seem to occupy the place. I pulled out of there fairly quickly. Might be the same park Jim fled from.
I had a similar feeling in a caravan park at Logan on the Gold Coast.
Even when we free camp there are some unwritten rules. Park at least 20 kms out of town. Check for cans and stubbies, wheelie marks and other vandalism. Don't stay there.
Don't free camp alone anywhere, ever!
Stay safe and upright friends.
CG I not to sure about you tip saying 'Don't free camp alone anywhere, ever!'
Somebody has to be the first to stop for the night at a free camp, we usually stop our day driving about 1400, just after the lunch crowd has gone, we then have a few hours by ourselves before somebody joins us, if nobody turns up by 1700 we move on to the next spot where somebody has already set up camp for the night.
That is the simple, practical advice that should be a sticky on caravan and camping forums.
I free camp but nowhere within sight of a public road and it would usually require daylight to get there.
The Australian government should be giving the same travel cautionary advice to tourists on entry as it does to its own nationals when departing the country. Either that or fix what is a deteriorating social problem that has lowered our standard of living. The police have been overwhelmed.
As a student I back-packed thousands of miles with a sweetie who was Miss University and we never had a problem. But now there are country towns I wouldn't stop in to buy a loaf of bread and I would drive around where I have the chance.
We've met kids from several countries whom we'd have been proud to have as our own. Others who were rude and noisy late at night recently in a caravan park, where at least we could call the manager who brought instant quiet. I've also seen them stealing toilet paper for heavens sake! They are all different, thankfully.