The Renmark teen who was stabbed by her classmate has told the court that she forgives and remains best friends with her attacker.
“Amber is still my best friend. That has not changed.” The victim told Judge Jo-Anne Deuter at a hearing today.
Amber Brea Rover, 18 at the time, stabbed her high school best friend in the back while suffering from undiagnosed Schizophrenia in July of 2018. Following the attack, she faced aggravated assault charges but was found not guilty by reason of mental incompetence.
Her classmate, who has thankfully made a full recovery from the ordeal, says she “won’t ever blame” her best friend for the attack because she understands that her judgement was clouded by her illness.
Despite the truly horrific incident, it appears that both the victim and Miss Rover are doing surprisingly well. Amber is learning to deal with her Schizophrenia while receiving psychiatric treatment at the James Nash House facility. She has remained in custody at the facility since the attack last year.
The victim appears to have taken the high road and believes that the experience has given her a new outlook on life.
“I have learnt so much about patience and forgiveness and I have a new level of self-awareness about mental health both for myself and for Amber.” She read in court today.
Honestly, the victim, who was only 17 at the time, deserves an award. She acknowledges that the ordeal nearly killed her, but says she is glad the incident prompted her friend to get psychiatric help.
“If I could I wouldn’t change anything, as Amber has had the chance to get the help she needs and I have grown up so much from this experience.” The victim read.
The next hearing will take place next month, where the court will determine Miss Rover’s limiting terms. According to the Mental Health (Forensic Provisions) Act 1990, a limiting term is “the period beyond which a person cannot be detained for the offence which was the subject of the special hearing”. Basically, this means that someone cannot be detained for mental health reasons for any longer than the prison sentence they’d otherwise serve.
The victim believes that she has a “unique and lifelong friendship” with her attacker, and continues to call and visit Miss Rover to this day.
Despite the painful ordeal, it looks like the Renmark teen has managed to give her story somewhat of a happy ending.
