RELIGIOUSLY securing windows, locking doors and spiralling into fits of panic has become commonplace for Wagga’s Kirra Bloom.
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The 43-year-old has spoken of her ongoing terror, diagnosed with post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after an aggravated break and enter last year.
She joined a growing tally of property crime victims who have suffered severe psychological distress after losing their sense of security.
Ms Bloom has shared her harrowing experience in an attempt to show magistrates the wide-reaching repercussions of home invasions.
“The worst thing is that I feel stupid because it wasn't something extremely serious like a war,” she said.
“I feel like I’m constantly reliving this terror every night, and no matter what I can’t find a way to calm myself down.
“I’m suffering from insomnia and every night I wake up at least four to five times to go downstairs and make sure the doors and windows are all secured.”
It comes as the controversial Young Offenders Act, which protects teen criminals from exposure to the justice system, has increasingly come under fire in recent weeks.
“Magistrates seem more concerned about the welfare of the offenders than the victims,” Ms Bloom said.
The leniency of custodial sentences and bail approvals made airwaves across the state on Thursday when a Wagga woman penned an emotional letter to radio presenter Ray Hadley.
She told of the catastrophic series of events that led to the death of her elderly mother.
“My parents were the alleged victims of a 16-year-old, bailed after numerous alleged break and enter offences,” she said.
“It was the beginning of a very devastating chain of events for our family.
“The alleged break-in emotionally affected my dad, the main carer of my mum who had Alzheimer's.
“Two weeks after the break in my mum fell ill with an infection.
“Because my dad was so rattled by the break-in he didn’t notice.
“She passed away on April 1, 2017.”
Her anecdote sent the accomplished broadcaster into a fury.
“The Magistrate’s obviously had no thoughts for the victims when he gave this kid bail,” Mr Hadley said.
“A break-in indirectly results in a death and no one cares.
“It’s disgraceful.”
