Australia: “Targeted due to wearing head coverings.” Woman charged over violent attacks on two Muslim women
A 31-year-old Pascoe Vale woman has been arrested and charged with assaulting two Muslim woman at Pacific Epping. (Supplied: Victoria Police via ABC news)
A 31-year-old woman from Pascoe Vale has been charged with multiple offenses after allegedly assaulting two Muslim women at Pacific Epping shopping centre in Melbourne north, Australia, last week.
Police say the attacks, which took place on Thursday, were motivated by the victims’ visible religious attire.
According to investigators, the first victim, a 30-year-old pregnant woman, was allegedly grabbed from behind and choked with her hijab while eating lunch with her four-year-old daughter. Just ten minutes later, a second woman, 26, was reportedly punched, slapped, and pushed to the ground, sustaining bruises and scratches.
“Police will allege the victims were targeted due to wearing head coverings,” a spokesperson said, reaffirming that “discriminatory, racist, or hate-based behavior will not be tolerated.”
The accused has been charged with intentionally and recklessly causing injury, unlawful assault, and aggravated assault.
She is set to appear in Heidelberg Magistrates’ Court today. Meanwhile, police are also investigating reports of online threats against one of the victims.
The incident has sparked renewed calls from Muslim community leaders for stronger action against Islamophobia in Australia.
