Chinese migrant allegedly assaulted by teenagers in Sydney's Eastgardens
Police said two 12-year-old girls were charged with assault and granted conditional bail to appear in a children's court next month.
The charges followed the circulation of graphic footage of the alleged attack.
Nearby residents in the suburb of Eastgardens filmed it and shared the footage on social media, drawing widespread condemnation — particularly from Chinese Australians.
In the video, a woman is seen knocked to the ground and repeatedly punched and kicked by several people.
A man who tries to intervene appears to be struck in the eyes, as a woman walking her dog also attempts to help.
As the woman manages to sit up, she is kicked in the face before the group flees.
The video went viral on social media, prompting calls for action and heightened concern among members of the Chinese community.
The woman, a 42-year-old pharmaceutical worker who moved to Sydney from Shanghai last August, told the ABC she had been left feeling fearful and disillusioned.
"I still believe that most people in this country are good, including many people who came forward to help me after I was attacked," she said.
"But after the incident, I feel the life here is not safe, because you may be attacked without warning. This really took the shine off my impression of this country.
"I hope all friends of Asian appearance, wherever they are, stay safe and look after themselves."
The woman told the ABC she was searching a local park for a lost set of keys when a young boy suddenly approached and yelled an obscenity at her.
She said moments later a group of teenagers gathered around her and her husband.
When she challenged them for swearing, she says she was attacked from behind and dragged to the ground.
"The process was so fast. I didn't really know who these people were, and I hadn't done anything to hurt them," she said.
"My clothes were covering my eyes so I couldn't see who was kicking and punching me, but I could feel kicks and punches to my back, my head, my eyes and my arms and legs."
It wasn't until she saw the footage that she realised how many people had been involved.
After attending a nearby hospital, the woman was found to have extensive bruising, particularly on her back, as well as facial injuries, fractured fingers and impaired vision.
The incident prompted others in Chinese-speaking communities to speak out about similar experiences in Sydney over recent months.
"I can't guarantee it 100 per cent, but from what I've seen and heard so far, basically all the people who have been physically harmed in these cases are Chinese," the woman said.
NSW Police declined to confirm if the Eastgardens attack was racially targeting Chinese people, as their investigation was ongoing.
In a statement, China's consulate in Sydney described a number of recent attacks as "violent acts against ethnic Chinese and Chinese students".
The consulate "firmly opposed and strongly condemn[ed]" the incidents, and urged Chinese nationals in Australia to stay alert, strengthen safety awareness, and avoid going out at night.
The ABC has approached the Australian Human Rights Commission for comment.
Read the story in Chinese: 阅读中文版
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