The Australian National Imams Council (ANIC) vehemently condemns the heinous and barbaric attacks on two Muslim women at Epping Shopping Centre in Victoria. These attacks represent a horrifying escalation of Islamophobic violence targeted at innocent people in our communities simply because of their faith.
On Thursday, 13th February 2025, two visibly Muslim women were savagely assaulted in separate incidents within minutes of each other, resulting in serious injuries. Both victims, one of whom is pregnant, were taken to Northern Hospital by ambulance for treatment after being left with bruises, scratches, and potentially long-term physical injuries. Despite the prompt response of police and ambulance officers at the scene, the aftermath of this incident has left the victims feeling ignored and fearing for their safety.
Alarmingly, one of the victims was subjected to online threats after sharing the incident to a community group on Facebook. When she reported these threats to the police, following advice from the ReportCyber website, her concerns were minimised and dismissed as "all talk” and told to ignore it. This is not merely incompetence, rather it is a dangerous neglect of duty that endangers lives and emboldens perpetrators.
We call on Victorian police to:
- Conduct a transparent investigation into the mishandling of these cases.
- Provide comprehensive training for all officers to adequately address hate crimes.
- Ensure that the perpetrators are prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.
Furthermore, we insist on an overhaul of current protocols to ensure that all Islamophobic attacks are taken seriously, and that those affected receive the necessary follow-up and referrals to victim support services.
We demand justice for the victims and assert that no act of hate should be minimised or ignored. It is imperative to ensure the safety and dignity of every individual, regardless of faith.
ANIC remains committed to combating Islamophobia and anti-Muslim hate in all its forms. We have reached out to the victims and are providing ongoing case management and support through the Action Against Islamophobia (AAI) initiative.
If you are a victim or have witnessed an Islamophobic incident or hate crime, please reach out to https://www.actionagainstislamophobia.org.au/ for assistance and support.
