The sister of a woman allegedly stabbed by a stranger in Melbourne’s CBD says she alerted the state government the day after the attack—but little action followed until the case was exposed by the media.
As per 7News, Ivana Lai contacted multiple government departments on October 3 after her sister, 36-year-old sushi chef Wan Lai, was allegedly attacked while walking to work on Little Bourke Street the previous morning.
CCTV footage shows the accused, 32-year-old Lauren Darul, running up behind Lai and stabbing her in the chest, causing serious internal injuries that required emergency treatment.
“My sister … had walked less than 100 metres from her front door when she was randomly attacked with a switchblade,” Ivana wrote in one of several emails seeking help, compensation and accountability. She told 7News that Wan Lai continues to suffer severe pain, struggles with basic tasks and relies on constant medication.
Despite repeated attempts to seek support, Ivana said the family initially received only a visit from two city councillors. It wasn’t until October 13, after following up again, that the Department of Premier and Cabinet referred her emails to multiple ministers, and only after the media coverage did the Department of Justice and Community Safety offer “immediate and longer-term support.”
Ivana criticised the slow and complex bureaucratic process, describing it as a “second trauma” for victims. She also questioned the role of Make Room, the supportive housing project where the accused had been living while on bail and under mental health supervision.
Darul has been charged with two counts of intentionally causing injury and committing an indictable offence while on bail. She is due to face court, where she will apply for bail.
Police confirmed to 7News that she will not return to Make Room, but said there is currently no legal mechanism to prevent her from being rehoused near Lai’s new home.
“The government’s slow response leaves our family trapped in a perfect ‘bureaucratic loop of accountability’,” Ivana said.
Victorian Housing Minister Harriet Shing and the Make Room project said they are reviewing safety measures and working with authorities, but the family remains frustrated by what they see as ongoing gaps in public safety and victim support.
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