"A CHINESE student who fell to her death while trying to escape a knife-wielding intruder had, with her boyfriend and two female flatmates, been subjected to an hour-long rape ordeal, police believe."

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24569300-5013404,00.html

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,24576868-661,00.htmla

http://news.theage.com.au/national/police-could-have-saved-balcony-victim-20081104-5h9q.html

This is probably the most disturbing piece of news i have read in a long time. probably because i am pretty much in the same situation as the victims, i.e. international student in Sydney Australia. The victim and her boyfriend fell 25meters (80ft?) naked.

multiple police calls were made before they fell. the police arrived quickly at the correct street, but could not find the correct apartment unit so gave up and left. i.e they COULD HAVE BEEN SAVED.

How does one prepare for something like this? Is it even possible? It was such a random, opportunistic and barbaric occurrence.

The perpetrator allegedly held on to his knife through the whole episode. the victims were around 18-20 years old. guns and mace are illegal here.

I know speculation is risky, but I wonder how I would have acted if i was in the victim's shoes. could anything have been done?