Port Arthur massacre footage posted on internet

Updated July 28, 2011 15:13:14

Graphic police footage showing the aftermath of the 1996 Port Arthur massacre in Tasmania has been posted on the internet.

The footage was part of a 12-minute police training video and shows images of some of the victims of the massacre, when Martin Bryant shot dead 35 people at the historic site.

The entire video has been posted on the social networking site Facebook while parts of the tape have been uploaded to YouTube.

Tasmanian police say they have been flooded with calls from distressed residents and they have contacted victims of the massacre.

Facebook and YouTube have been contacted in an attempt to remove the video and police are investigating the source.

They believe it is 'almost impossible' to stop the spread of the video which is now appearing in edited forms across the web.

Deputy Commissioner Scott Tilyard says it is not the first time the training tape been posted on the internet.

They first became aware of the video online in February.

"Once something goes out there onto the internet, you just totally lose control of it."

"It is highly distressing not only for the families of the victims, but for the community, for these images to be available in the internet," he said.

In 2004, a police forensic video was bought at a tip shop, sparking a police investigation. It is understood several copies were made.

They have no idea how they lost control of it in 2004.

Police say they now have high-level security for all Port Arthur-related material.

Bryant is serving 35 life sentences for the killings.

Tasmania's Premier Lara Giddings has joined community anger about the incident.

"Whoever put it on should be absolutely appalled at their behaviour," she said.

"There could not a more distressing time for people who are victims of Port Arthur than now, with the horror of what has happened in Norway and the fact that that brings back memories.

"So to do that was absolutely callous, disgusting."

Attempts will be made to try and stop the spread.

"If anyone is stupid enough to try and put it back up that any copies are brought down as soon as possible," the Premier said.

Neil Noye was mayor of the Tasman Council during the shootings and says it opens up old wounds.

"It's just insensitive to think that people could be stupid enough to do such a thing. It makes you wonder what makes people tick," he said.

"Those that are here now, and were here 15 years ago, it's going to affect them.

"It's going to open old wounds, it's going to make them think again.

"We put it in the past. We were moving on."

Lifeline's Hobart CEO Christopher John has urged people affected to seek support.

"Everyone involved in the Port Arthur event lives with the tragedy and distress."

"When people live with trauma such as this event, they also live with uncertainty of future events triggering their memories and affecting their wellbeing," he said.

Those needing support can contact Lifeline on 13 11 14 or the Mental Health Helpline 1800 332 388.

Topics: human-interest, internet-culture, police, port-arthur-7182

First posted July 28, 2011 08:12:33

Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2011-07-28/port-arthur-youtube-video/2813556

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