teenage girls injured during northland shopping centre brawl.
A violent altercation at Northland Shopping Centre in Preston left two teenage girls requiring medical attention on Friday evening.
Victoria Police officers were patrolling the shopping centre's food court when they observed a group of females involved in a physical fight. A 14-year-old girl suffered minor injuries and was taken to hospital, while a 12-year-old girl also sustained minor injuries and was treated by paramedics at the scene.
For a young person, being involved in a violent incident in a busy public place can be particularly unsettling. Even where physical injuries are described as minor, a victim may experience fear, anxiety or difficulty returning to places or activities associated with the incident.
If you have been physically or psychologically affected by a violent crime in Victoria, it may be worth considering whether you are eligible to apply for assistance through the Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS). The scheme can assist eligible victims with treatment expenses (including medical costs, counselling costs and other recovery-related costs), safety-related expenses as well loss of earnings and damaged/lost clothing expenses.