Evil in the Suburbs

by Cindy Wockner, Michael Porta

In August 2000 a gang of rapists lured 12 victims from train stations and via the internet in a series of planned attacks. One 16-year-old was staked to the ground by a dozen men and raped repeatedly. Another young teenager was assaulted by 14 men up to 25 times at three different locations. In 2002 the ringleader of the rapists was sentenced to 55 years for his part in the gang rapes, making headlines across Australia and internationally. After appealing the New South Wales Court of Criminal Appeal reduced Skaf's 55 year sentence to a maximum of 38 years, with parole available after 32 years. Apart from the acts of violence, the rape cases caused volatile debate about race and religion in Australia. The rapists were Lebanese Muslims and, in several cases the men used racial slurs, calling their victims "Aussie bushpigs" and telling them they should try it "Leb style". The cases focused attention on the whole idea of multiculturalism and what it means to be Australian and they split the Muslim/Christian communities of western Sydney. This book will tell the full story of each of the cases - beginning with the first rape which occurred just as Sydney was dressing up for the 2000 Olympics. It will cover the police investigations, the crucial role of an Arabic speaking, Muslim police officer who first discovered a link between the attacks, the stories of the women and their vindication after the massive jail sentences delivered in court, and the thinking of men and women in the Muslim community so wounded by the actions of its 14 sons.

Paperback

First published July 1, 2010

Reviews

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very disturbing book. A group of young Muslim boys, the oldest only 18 were eventually apprehended and jailed for a series of horrific gang rapes in Sydney in 2000. Most of them were juveniles and their values and attitudes toward their victims were shocking. The whole matter opened up great division in the Australian community around race and religion. The trials with all the consequent publicity occurred in the years just after 9/11. The writing can be quite clunky, but I found I couldn't put it down. Worth reading to see how a major police task force operates.

[Gayle · Rating 4 out of 5]

I can't give this five stars because it was just so horrid. I cannot believe there are people in this world who are like these animals. Despicable and horrid are not strong enough .... these "men" (for want of a better word) deserved a lot more jail time than they got. Kudos to the brave girls who spoke up about them in court, it would've taken a lot of guts to face these males again. Hell will be too good for these males when the time comes. A good book, but highly disturbing.

[Francisco Seguin · Rating 2 out of 5]

A dark tale of Australia's justice system. Evil in the Suburbs is not an easy read, particularly because the events re-told are true, and as such has been written in as realist a prose as possible, creating at times a jumbled mess of events; times, places, and interactions that stifle the pace of the book. A strong book that comments on how the justice system fails the victims, this is by no means a new tale. Many books have told the same story for many years, most with the same conclusion; the justice system is unjust. "Evil..." makes the same statements as past studies; questioning the value of human life both from the perspective of perpetrator and the courts that trial them. The only downside of this novel is Cindy Wockner's inability to remain impartial as she observes the trials and tribulations of the rape victims, and reports from the front line of Police inspectors working the evidence to build as strong a case as possible; even the transcripts of the language used by the rapists has been presented with all its grammatical errors in order to create the perfect picture of some pretty imperfect human trash. An emotional writer, with strong sensibilities for the victims, Cindy's work loses a lot of its power half-way through the book due to a very obvious attempt to create a strong picture of the "monsters" in her book, and harp at the emotional strings of how a seemingly unconnected group of girls suffered the same unfortunate attacks by a criminal mind that while uneducated and inhuman was, methodical, deliberate and cunning. Unfortunately her book only presents one side of the tale and this is where it fails. It seems Cindy has never attempted to interview the assailants themselves, and as such, the title doesn't actually present a true picture of the Evil it's trying to understand, hence we are left with a lot questions and a only half a book.

[Xanthi · Rating 2 out of 5]

This wasn't a well written book. Yes, the crimes committed were horrendous and yes, the perpetrators were a pack of vile human beings before, during and after the crimes. But did the reader really need to read them being described as such, and so often? Some very sensationalist language was used, when none needed to be. Describing their actions, their behaviours, the attitudes and quoting them was all that was needed to show their natures. Constant name calling and the author expressing disgust was not required and in the end, just looked unprofessional.
The second half of the book faired a bit better, once the court trials were described. Overall, however, this true crime story needed a better writer.
As for the crimes themselves, prepare to read some graphic accounts that will turn your stomach. The misogyny is strong here. And the blindness and histrionics of the mother of two of the males involved is quite sickening to read about.
All in all, a depressing read, especially when the reader is informed on the whittling down of convictions thanks to appeals. Justice was barely served.

[Keziah · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very disturbing book. A group of young Muslim boys, the oldest only 18 were eventually apprehended and jailed for a series of horrific gang rapes in Sydney in 2000. Most of them were juveniles and their values and attitudes toward their victims were shocking. The whole matter opened up great division in the Australian community around race and religion. The trials with all the consequent publicity occurred in the years just after 9/11. The writing can be quite clunky, but I found I couldn't put it down. Worth reading to see how a major police task force operates.

[D.B. Tait · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a very disturbing book. A group of young Muslim boys, the oldest only 18 were eventually apprehended and jailed for a series of horrific gang rapes in Sydney in 2000. Most of them were juveniles and their values and attitudes toward their victims were shocking. The whole matter opened up great division in the Australian community around race and religion. The trials with all the consequent publicity occurred in the years just after 9/11. The writing can be quite clunky, but I found I couldn't put it down. Worth reading to see how a major police task force operates.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very easy read. Started to drag on a bit towards the end. Came across this book in the library and thought I'll give it a go because I remember the cases in the media. It was interesting reading. What those guys got up to was very disturbing.

[Dale Garth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Found it hard to put this book down. I remember hearing about this story on the news when it first happened and when I saw the book I had to have a read. It's quite disturbing that people would behave like this, especially in Australia in the 21st century.

[Imissmest · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great book just very graphic

[Franzi]

Boahh wie krank können manche Menschen sein. Unfassbar :/

[Lynette]

Trying everywhere to obtain a second hand copy of this book - if anyone can help me out please get in contact. Thanks