Devastating aftermath after sushi chef Wan Lai stabbed in Melbourne CBD

The woman accused of stabbing a sushi chef in Melbourne’s CBD in broad daylight has been identified as the victim’s sister reveals her long road to recovery.

Lauren Darul, 32, was charged after allegedly stabbing 36-year-old Wan Lai on Little Bourke St, near Spencer St, about 7.40am on October 2.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Random stabbing sparks Melbourne bail law debate.

CCTV footage obtained by 7NEWS shows Darul running up behind Lai, wielding a knife, before allegedly stabbing her in the right side of her chest.

Darul then left the scene, leaving Lai crouched on the ground in pain before passers-by rushed to her aid and took her to hospital.

7NEWS understands Darul, who was on bail, was living in social housing designed, in part, to assist people with mental health issues and homelessness.

She had been required to attend an appointment regarding her medication and mental health but did not.

Police had been looking for her before the alleged attack on Lai.

Darul has lodged an application for bail with Melbourne Magistrates’ Court.

Lai’s sister, Ivana, told 7NEWS.com.au that she had contacted the city council and the state government to raise concerns about the supportive housing, but aside from a brief visit from a councillor, nothing meaningful had been done.

The family was advised to apply for victim assistance through the state government, but Ivana said they had yet to receive a response.

“We have to create an online account, pay all medical bills, relocation costs, and lost income ourselves, and then submit receipts one by one for reimbursement,” she said.

Police described Lai’s injuries as “non-life-threatening”, but Ivana said the label didn’t reflect the reality.

“Behind that phrase is a punctured lung, a drainage tube in her chest, the trauma of breaking down and trembling whenever she passes the scene, and being forced to move out of her home,” she said.

“As for the safety and peace of mind she’s lost forever? Sorry, those can’t be listed on any receipt, so in their eyes, they simply don’t exist.”

Ivana also shed light on the aftermath of the situation when bystanders rushed to help her.

Lai, struggling to unlock her phone, asked one of the bystanders to contact her boss to say she couldn’t work that day.

Her boss then informed Ivana, though he didn’t know what had happened.

Living an hour away from the city, Ivana and her husband drove towards Melbourne while calling multiple hospitals, desperately trying to locate her.

They eventually received a call from police telling them to come in — but when they arrived, they weren’t allowed to see Lai until the statement was completed.

“Wan kept looking around to see if anyone was coming to visit her, but no one could, because we weren’t notified,” Ivana said.

“She wasn’t even allowed to use her phone and didn’t know she was at the Royal Melbourne Hospital herself.”

Lai was discharged from hospital after three days and has since moved house due to the trauma.

“She doesn’t dare to go out anymore, she’s always on guard,” Ivana said.

“She can’t stand people walking behind her and keeps looking around nervously.”

Victorian Premier Jacinta Allan condemned the “sickening” act of violence in a social media post on Thursday night.

“I send my support to the victim of this crime and their family,” she said.

“No one who commits brazen, violent acts like this should be on the streets. The accused offender is currently on remand awaiting court.”

She also thanked Victoria Police for their swift response.

Opposition Leader Brad Battin said Victoria is the nation’s “crime capital”, a term his federal counterpart Sussan Ley used during her recent visit to the state to shine a spotlight on the issue.

“Everyone’s talking about it, no matter where you go in the community ... People are starting to fear that this is generally what Victoria is becoming, particularly in Melbourne,” he said.

“There’s no one in the country that’s close to us. Victoria stands alone.”

Darul has been charged with two counts of intentionally causing injury and committing an indictable offence while on bail.

She appeared before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court on October 3 and was remanded in custody until her next appearance.