‘King hits’, ‘alcohol and drug fuelled violence’ and ‘unprovoked attacks’ are amongst the reasons in which the following precipitated an outcry within the public and society. Among these incidents are the deaths of Daniel Christie and Thomas Kelly in The Kings Cross entertainment precinct. Both ‘king hits’ have occurred within only a little over the past two years and have thusly gained public attention. The public have had an immense emotional and empathetic response as the article written by Peta Doherty (2014) stated “an emotional plea to end mindless violence had been viewed 819,712 times, attracted nearly 25,000 likes and more than 6000 comments, with numbers increasing by the second.” Alcohol and drugs within the youth have been linked as major influences to the ‘king hit’ nature of the violent events occurring in Kings Cross. According to the Australian National Council of Drugs (2008) studies have been shown “estimating that 451,000 children are exposed to binge drinking and that 70,000 live with a daily cannabis user.” Furthermore this exposure and easy accessibility has influenced according to Stephen Lunn (2008) “a rite of passage to adulthood” approach among adolescents towards alcohol and drugs. A commonly shared resolution among society is tougher punishments and sentencing reforms for the ‘one hit punchers.’ This can be seen after the death of Thomas Kelly which then prompted a nation-wide appeal that “delivered a 132,000 signature petition” which served to attempt change within the state government for harsher sentencing laws. Society has also made steps in addressing and pressuring the government to resolve the problem as the initiative was taken for the ‘lock out’ of all pubs and clubs at 1:30am and last alcoholic drinks at 3:00am. This attempt at a resolution is not only being attempted within The Kings Cross entertainment precinct but within all of Sydney.
Referencing
http://www.smh.com.au/national/daniel-christie-sympathy-pours-in-for-coward-punch-victim-20140112-30o7j.html http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/daniel-christie-dies-following-kinghit-punch-20140111-30ndv.html http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-11-08/kieran-loveridge-sentenced-to-six-years27-prison-over-king-hit/5078728 http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/teenage-drink-and-drug-abuse-rife/story-e6frg6nf-1111115636973 http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/state-politics/pressure-builds-on-king-hit-crimes/story-e6frgczx-1226801868231#
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