Police have charged a teenage boy following a stabbing at a shopping centre in Clayton in Melbourne’s south-east.

 

According to investigators, the incident occurred at the M-City Shopping Centre on Blackburn Road when a 25-year-old woman from Mount Waverley was allegedly stabbed while walking through the centre on her way to work. Emergency services were called to the scene and the woman was transported to hospital in a serious but stable condition after receiving assistance from a member of the public.

 

Police allege the offender fled the shopping centre before being arrested a short time later at a nearby medical centre. A 16-year-old boy from the Stonnington area has since been charged with a number of offences including intentionally causing injury, recklessly causing injury, assault with a weapon, possessing a controlled weapon, theft and committing an indictable offence while on bail. He has been remanded to appear before a children’s court at a later date.

 

Violent incidents in public places can have significant and lasting impacts on victims, particularly when they occur unexpectedly during everyday activities such as travelling to work.

 

In Victoria, individuals who suffer harm as a result of violent crime may be able to apply for financial assistance through the Financial Assistance Scheme (FAS). The scheme can assist victims of crime with counselling, medical expenses and other costs associated with recovery.

 

If you or someone close to you has been affected by a violent incident, sending an enquiry can help you better understand the support that may be available and the steps involved in making an application.