Convicted killer Alicia Schiller is facing a barrage of rejection from Victoria’s public hospitals and fertility clinics after being granted approval to undergo IVF treatments from behind bars.
But why are so many people up in arms about this?
A Killer’s Past
Schiller, now in her mid-30s, was sentenced to at least 16 years in jail in 2017 for the brutal murder of her Geelong housemate, Tyrelle Evertsen-Mostert, a mother of three. The attack was triggered by a fit of rage after Schiller discovered Evertsen-Mostert had stolen $50 from her room to buy drugs. Schiller was 25 years old at the time and under the influence of ice.
IVF Approval Met with Outrage
On Wednesday, Schiller was given the green light to temporarily leave maximum-security prison to attend IVF appointments. However, the news has been met with widespread outrage and rejection from her family, as well as her victim’s.
Hospitals and Clinics Say No
Schiller’s mother has confirmed that she will not be raising the child if her daughter falls pregnant as a result of IVF. Meanwhile, major fertility clinics such as Melbourne IVF and Monash IVF have refused to provide services to the convicted killer.
The Best Interests of the Child
A spokesperson from Melbourne IVF explained that they don’t believe it’s appropriate to provide services to Schiller given her prison sentence. Monash IVF added that they always consider the best interests of any future children when deciding whether to provide treatment.
Industry Concerns
One IVF industry figure expressed concerns about the wellbeing of the child, as well as the potential discomfort of having a convicted killer in a waiting room with patients. “The last thing our patients expect to be doing is sitting in a waiting room with a convicted murderer and a bunch of police standing there,” they said.
Schiller’s Plans
Schiller plans to raise the baby in prison until it’s five years old, after which the child will be transferred to the care of the community. However, it’s unclear how she intends to care for the child while serving a lengthy prison sentence.
Government Response
Premier Jacinta Allan has confirmed that taxpayers won’t be forced to cover the costs of staffing, security, or transportation between the prison and an IVF clinic. However, the costs of raising children in custody come out of an operational budget of Corrections Victoria.
The Victim’s Family Speaks Out
Ms Evertsen-Mostert’s parents-in-law, Jim and Yvonne Gentle, have expressed outrage at the decision, saying the “cold-blooded murderer” no longer has the privilege of being a mother. Tyrelle’s mother, Jo Evertsen-Mostert, called the decision “ludicrous” and “disgusting”, saying it’s brought up “so much pain” for the family.
A Controversial Decision
The government’s decision to allow Schiller to access IVF has sparked a heated debate about the rights of prisoners and the welfare of potential children. As the backlash continues, one thing is clear: this is a controversial decision that has left many people questioning the justice system.