After four years of agonising silence, Rebekah Porter is finally free to publicly share memories of her free-spirited, giggly and cheeky daughter Bridgette.
The 10-year-old, who went by the nickname Biddy, was killed by a teenager known to her in rural NSW in 2020.
Biddy’s identity was only made public in July when her parents launched a petition calling for a review of the handling of the case and improved rights for child victims and their families.
It calls for scrutiny of the legal system, which Biddy’s parents say protected the killer and stopped them from speaking about their daughter’s death.
Since going public on the fourth anniversary of Biddy’s death, her story has received nationwide attention and the petition to the NSW parliament has attracted 21,550 signatures.
Sharing her daughter’s story has been “empowering” for Ms Porter, who said reforms could restore the rights of all victims of serious crimes.
“It was just devastating to understand so much emphasis was placed on protecting Bridgette’s killer at the expense of her identity and people understanding the horror she endured,” she told AAP.
“It’s just been wonderful since July to have her identity being given back to her, to have her face being shown, her name being told, and her voice, in a way, coming through all of that.”
The NSW Supreme Court found Biddy’s killer, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, was not criminally responsible due to mental illness.
Details surrounding Biddy’s death and the injuries she suffered are protected by a court order.
Along with calling for parliamentary inquiries into the prosecution, the petition demanded a coronial inquest into the death which Ms Porter viewed as “preventable”.
“By exploring what we’ve gone through as a family after Bridgette has died, and how the systems work, we can look to reflect on that and reform it for other victims in the future,” she said.
Independent MP for Orange Philip Donato, who presented the petition in the NSW Parliament on Thursday, said Biddy’s case had struck a chord, particularly among families with children of a similar age.
“It’s the most dreadful thing to happen, it’s unimaginable,” Mr Donato told AAP.
“People have just rallied around once the community were able to hear about this.
“She was a young, intelligent girl and … she just had an impact on everybody she met.”
Labor MP Jenny Aitchison said the government did not have the power to call a coronial inquest or order an inquiry into the Director of Public Prosecutions.
However, the Communities and Justice Department is reviewing victims’ support legislation.
The family’s campaign also aims to draw attention to the rights of victims and improve access to financial and psychological support after serious crimes.
“Up in my office, I have a picture of (Biddy), which moves me every day,” Ms Aitchison told parliament.
“The trauma experienced by everyone in this situation is overwhelming and in the depths of your grief and your suffering and your loss, to stand up and say you want change is … a very brave thing to do.”
Advocacy Australia launched the petition on behalf of the Porter family.
Lifeline 13 11 14
Kids Helpline 1800 55 1800 (for people aged 5 to 25)
