This article contains references to rape and sexual assault.
The distraught father of murdered international student Aiia Maasarwe says he wants the government to do more to keep women safe on Australia's streets.
Codey Herrmann, who raped and murdered the 21-year-old as she made her way home from a comedy gig in Melbourne, was sentenced to 36 years in prison on Tuesday afternoon.
Speaking outside the court after the sentencing, Ms Maasarwe's father Saeed, who had travelled from Israel, said he wanted his
Aiia was remembered by her family as being happy, inquisitive, helpful to others, and full of life.
"The pain inside is very big," he said.
"She was happy, she was inquisitive, she liked to help anyone. She liked all people. This is how I remember Aiia."
Mr Maasarwe said "revenge" was not the family's focus.
Instead, he said he hoped his daughter's death would force authorities to pay attention to keeping women safe.
"We want the Australian government to do more to protect people, to protect women," he said.
Herrmann, 21, pleaded guilty to beating Ms Maasarwe over the head, sexually assaulting her and setting her on fire.
Saeed Maasarwe, the father of murdered exchange student Aiia Maasarwe, speaks to media outside the Supreme Court.
AAP
Ms Maasarwe's father Saeed and her sister Noor wept as Judge Elizabeth Hollingworth handed down the sentence in the Victorian Supreme Court on Tuesday.
Justice Hollingworth sentenced Herrmann to 12 years imprisonment on a charge of rape and 32 years imprisonment on a charge of murder.
Herrmann will serve a combined sentence of 36 years and will serve 30 years before he is eligible for parole.
Saeed Maasarwe (centre), the father of murdered exchange student Aiia Maasarwe, arrives to the Supreme Court of Victoria in Melbourne.
AAP
Justice Hollingsworth said Herrmann's murder of Ms Maasarwe showed "utter contempt for her dignity".
"Not only did you take away Ms Maasarwe's most precious right – her right to life – you deprived a family of their daughter and sister," Justice Hollingworth said.
"She came here to improve her English at La Trobe University. She loved living here and her family were looking forward to visiting her.
"She was a loving and much-loved member of the Maasarwe family and your actions have profoundly affected them all.
"At times they feel they are stuck in a nightmare."
Codey Herrmann departs the Supreme Court of Victoria after being sentenced to 36 years in prison.
In her sentencing remarks, Justice Hollingworth referenced the recent rape and murder of Eurydice Dixon, saying "women should be free to walk the streets alone without fear of being violently attacked by strangers".
Factors such as the lack of premeditation in Herrmann's case and other points of difference meant there was "limited use" in comparing sentences for the two murders, Justice Hollingworth added.
Noor Massarwe, the sister of murdered exchange student Aiia Maasarwe, arrives to the Supreme Court of Victoria on Tuesday.
AAP
Justice Hollingworth also addressed Herrmann's traumatic upbringing in her sentencing remarks.
"Unfortunately, there is no simple explanation for your actions," she said.
"It’s necessary to consider your background in detail to understand how you came to be the seriously damaged young man that committed these offences.
"You undoubtedly suffered from profound childhood deprivation and trauma.
"The foundational building blocks of normal personal functioning were not provided in your case."
Codey Herrmann is taken from the Supreme Court of Victoria earlier this year.
AAP
Ms Maasarwe, a Palestinian Arab with Israeli citizenship, was on her way home from a comedy gig when she was attacked.
Her body was found the next morning, on 16 January, by a passerby on their way to work.
Mr Maasarwe, also a Palestinian Arab with Israeli citizenship, recently returned to Australia to spread the message of peace in his daughter's memory.
The Aiia Maasarwe Memorial Medical Fellowship Program will provide financial support to Palestinian doctors working and training in Israel and will be administered through Program Rozana, an Australian initiative aimed at improving healthcare in Gaza and the West Bank.
Launching the fellowship in Melbourne, Mr Maasarwe said he wished his daughter would be remembered for her positivity, not what happened to her.
"We cannot forget Aiia ... she was inquisitive, she was good for everyone," he said.
"I wish all the people can just remember Aiia for the good things and the positives and to look every day in the light, not in the dark things."
If you or someone you know is impacted by sexual assault, family or domestic violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732 or visit 1800RESPECT.org.au. In an emergency, call 000.
Read Again https://www.sbs.com.au/news/revenge-not-our-focus-aiia-maasarwe-s-distraught-father-makes-emotional-pleaBagikan Berita Ini
0 Response to "'Revenge not our focus': Aiia Maasarwe's distraught father makes emotional plea - SBS News"
Post a Comment