Homeowners in Victoria are increasingly calling for stronger self-defense laws to protect themselves and their families amid a worrying rise in home invasions. The push for legislative reform has been fueled by shocking incidents, including a gruesome break-in in Kew East, Melbourne, which left a father seriously injured.
‘Castle Law’ Advocates Gain Momentum
Chris Katelaris, an outspoken personal trainer and advocate for self-defense rights, has urged residents to demand tougher protections, including the adoption of ‘castle law.’ Commonly known as castle doctrine, this legal framework allows individuals to use reasonable force to defend their homes from intruders. Currently, Australian laws restrict homeowners from employing lethal force in self-defense, leaving many Victorians feeling vulnerable.
In a passionate TikTok video, Katelaris criticized the Victorian Attorney-General Sonya Kilkenny’s stance, labeling her response to calls for stronger laws as insufficient. “This is coming from someone who likely lives in a gated community with rapid police response times,” he argued. “For regular people, we only have our phones while intruders with potentially deadly weapons are inside our homes.”
Rising Crime Rates Fuel Public Outcry
Statistics from the Crime Statistics Agency reveal that aggravated burglaries in Victoria have more than doubled over the past two years, increasing from 46.4 incidents per 100,000 people in 2021 to 97.9 in 2023. The recent violent home invasion in Kew East has highlighted the urgency of the issue.
On Sunday night, five masked intruders allegedly forced their way into a family’s luxury home while the residents were asleep. The 39-year-old father was dragged into a room and stabbed multiple times in the head, face, and arms as he tried to fight back. His wife and children, aged two and three, were also in the home, and grandparents who tried to intervene sustained injuries. The attackers fled in the family’s luxury BMW and another vehicle.
Three suspects, aged 24, 17, and 16, have since been charged with offenses, including aggravated home invasion, false imprisonment, and intentionally causing serious injury. The father remains hospitalized with serious injuries, while other family members are recovering.
Fearful Residents Consider Drastic Moves
The escalating crime has left Victorians reassessing their living situations. Some residents are choosing to relocate, seeking safety in apartments or other areas. New Zealander Chrissy Skye, a resident of Altona, Melbourne, voiced her decision to leave after her home and car were targeted by thieves. “I don’t feel safe at night anymore,” she said.
The debate over self-defense laws continues to intensify as Libertarian MP David Limbrick prepares to introduce a motion in state parliament advocating for stronger protections for homeowners. Meanwhile, critics like Attorney-General Kilkenny maintain that current self-defense laws are sufficient and proportionate.
With violent crime on the rise, the push for legislative change underscores many Victorians’ desire for greater security and peace of mind in their own homes.
