Paul Papalia refuses to answer questions over why sex offender was left unsupervised for weeks before attack

Corrective Services Minister Paul Papalia is refusing to release details over why a dangerous and violent sex offender was allowed to roam the streets unsupervised for weeks before brutally raping a Perth mother. Mark Anthony Jr Unchango dragged the woman into bushland near Whitfords train station in December 2024 and pinned her to the ground. In the pitch black, he violently bashed and raped her three times as she screamed in terror and tried to escape. The victim, who was aged in her 40s, pleaded for Unchango to let her go - trying to appeal to his humanity by saying she had children, even offering him all of her belongings. In a last ditch effort of desperation to escape - she tried to poke his eyes with sticks but it made the then 21-year-old even more violent. The woman managed to break free after 10 minutes and was rescued by a good Samaritan. She was unrecognisable from her injuries, and a court order prevents The West Australian from detailing the horrific ordeal that she is still dealing with. Unchango had only been out of prison for a month before the sickening attack. He was on a supervision order after serving two and a half years for raping a young child and indecently dealing with another. He failed to report to community corrections staff within 72 hours of his release - in breach of the order, and a criminal offence. The Cook Government repeatedly refused to explain why he was left on the streets for weeks, allowing him to re-offend. Shadow attorney general Nick Goiran has been pursuing the case in parliament for years - demanding the government provide an explanation. After Unchango was sentenced earlier this month - Mr Goiran put questions to the Corrective Services Minister in parliament. “Has a review been conducted into the self-evident ineffective supervision in this case?” he asked. Mr Papalia wouldn’t confirm whether he has ordered a review and said only he: “does not accept the premise of the question.” A psychological report tendered as part of Unchango’s sentencing found he had no remorse for the offending, didn’t show any concern for the victim and was only worried about the consequences to himself. He had no interest in undertaking rehabilitation or complying with any orders when released from custody, and was considered to be in the highest risk category for committing further sex offences. Mr Papalia refused The West Australian’s request for an interview to explain what his department did to try and apprehend Unchango and what action has been taken since. Instead, he addressed the issue briefly in State parliament on Thursday - where he finally revealed that a review had been conducted. “I am aware of the circumstances, and it was incredibly distressing incident, and my sympathies go out to the victim,” he said. “What I can say is that post that incident, a thorough review was conducted, and a change to processes has been enacted. ”Adult Community correction staff have been informed about the need for applying the risk assessment to breaches.” Mr Papalia has refused to release the findings of the departments failures in supervising Unchango, claiming it would be “counter-productive” and related to operational matters. The shadow attorney general said Mr Papalia’s response was “an absolute disgrace” and said he should resign. “I call on Premier Cook to appoint somebody else to that portfolio. I do not really care who the government appoints as long as it is somebody who understands that this is a major problem,” Mr Goiran said. “We cannot have Mr Unchango released from jail on a post-sentence supervision order and the outcome being that a Western Australian woman was raped three times. It is not good enough and something needs to change.” Unchango has been sentenced to 10 years behind bars.