The Walk Without Fear Trust commends the Government’s latest announcement on strengthening sentencing laws for violent offending. These changes are an encouraging step toward restoring accountability in the justice system and ensuring serious harm is met with a proportionate legal response.

“Our position has never been about punishment for punishment’s sake,” says Eugene Bareman, Chair of the Walk Without Fear Trust. “It’s about setting a standard. When people harm others — especially through violent acts — the law needs to show that our society takes that seriously. Otherwise, what message are we sending to the next generation?”

The Trust welcomes the proposed measures to limit excessive sentence discounts and the introduction of new aggravating factors, including livestreaming violent crimes and exploiting youth to offend.

In 2021, professional fighter Fau Vake — a friend, brother, and teammate to the founders of the Trust — was killed in an unprovoked late-night assault on Queen Street. The justice process that followed exposed serious gaps in how the system responds to violent crime. The Walk Without Fear Trust was established in the aftermath — to honour Fau’s life and to advocate for a justice system that truly reflects the seriousness of such offences and the rights of victims and their families.

“These reforms move us closer to justice that’s not just symbolic, but real,” Bareman continues. “We’ve spent years talking to youth across the country, and what they need is clarity. Clear lines. Clear values. If you assault someone, if you film it like it’s a joke — that’s not just a mistake, that’s a choice. And choices come with consequences.”

The Trust views these changes as part of a wider cultural shift — one that values prevention and accountability equally.

“We’re working with young people every day to help them rewrite their stories. But we can’t do that if the system doesn’t back it up. These changes help create a foundation we can build on — safer communities, clearer standards, and a justice system that doesn’t look the other way.”

Walk Without Fear Trust remains committed to reducing social violence through prevention, education, and firm legal boundaries — ensuring that victims are acknowledged, offenders are held to account, and communities can heal.

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