Sunday, 27 January 2013

In Mourning for Dr Susan Dow


Living in a situation similar to Dr Dow’s, I can understand and relate to what she did.  At times, you do feel helpless.  You feel that no-one understands. No-one can help you.  You put up with so much from your neighbours – you reach the end of your limit.  I can only hope that Australian authorities will take heed of this case, and bring in steps to help people in this situation – before it is too late.

 
Dr Susan Dow lived near the Neighbours from Hell.  Dr Dow, after three years of trying to get help, committed suicide.  She wrote a last letter to the local council, pleading for help.  It was never answered.    

The coroner, at her inquest, forwarded the letter to a newspaper in order to highlight the failures that had led to Dr Dow’s death.

Dr Dow had complained eleven times to the council.  Police were called five times.

In one comment with the police, an officer had written about Dr Dow, “You just can’t win with some people can you?”

The police have said the comments were regrettable.

In a quote from the letter written by Dr Dow, she states, “From speaking to other neighbours it is clear that Mr Robinson has been terrorising the street for years now.  I would move house if I could, but have already been advised by an estate agent that my house is all but unsalable - given the neighbours I have. I find this situation to be intolerable.”
 
Final letter from Dr Dow to council


Gloria De Piero, Shadow minister for crime prevention, has commented on the case – “Thank goodness incidents of anti social behaviour rarely have such terrible consequences. But any MP will tell you that week after week we see constituents who are at the end of their tether, constituents who complain time and time again about nuisance behaviour, and say that nothing is done by the agencies that are there to help.  It is particularly unfair that it is often those who are the victims of anti social behaviour who feel that they are the ones who have no option but to move.”



No comments:

Post a Comment