The alarming number of people experiencing racial abuse while on Australian trains and buses begs the question: is public transport the only place bigots come into contact with other races? And why are people such monumental dicks?
On Monday afternoon, a 15-year-old girl was racially abused and punched in the face by a woman over twice her age. The teenager was travelling from Blacktown towards the city with a couple of friends, when a misunderstanding over their conversation led the woman to get out of her seat, pull her hair, and punch her several times in the face.
The teenager, who is of an Asian appearance, was shaken after the attack but not seriously injured.
She reported the incident immediately afterwards to Auburn police station. According to Inspector Sean Gabin, the woman accused the teenager of saying something racist to her.
No recordings on mobile phones have yet emerged, but CCTV may have captured the attack.
The woman is described as of a Caucasian appearance, in her late 30s or early 40s, with tanned skin, a black front tooth, and a few missing teeth. She was wearing a shiny blue top and black pants. She was travelling with a man of Mediterranean or Middle Eastern appearance, with an olive complexion and a small to medium build. He has a tattoo, possibly of a smiley face, on the left side of his neck, and was wearing a red and cream t-shirt with a black jacket and dark blue or black jeans.
The man and woman got off the train at Lidcombe.
Anyone with information is urged to contact Flemington Police on (02) 9646 8622 or Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000.
Image: Greg Wood via Getty Images
via Fairfax
