On February 13, two women, aged 30 and 26, were reportedly assaulted at Pacific Epping shopping centre in Epping between 1.10 and 1.20 pm. A 31-year-old woman has since been arrested and charged with multiple offences, including aggravated assault. Police believe the victims were targeted for wearing head coverings.
Both women, one of whom is pregnant, were taken to hospital following the incident. The younger victim recounted being grocery shopping when she was violently slapped and pushed to the ground by the attacker. She described the incident as shocking, expressing her fear of leaving home now.
In a separate incident just minutes prior, the second woman, seated at a café, had her hijab grabbed and was choked by the alleged assailant.
Victoria Police condemned the attacks, asserting that such discriminatory and hate-driven actions have no place in society. The charged woman is due to appear in Heidelberg Magistrates Court, while investigations into reported online threats against one of the victims continue.