Homophobic Violence in East St Kilda
// February 4th, 2010 // Incidents, Media discussion, Within Victoria
Alert: Serious homophobic assault in local park – Attackers at-Large – Information required urgently.
In the early hours of Monday 25 January, a young man was assaulted and then slashed with a box-cutter or similar implement while taking a short-cut from Alma Road, East St Kilda, through Alma Park while making his way to Chapel Street.
Three men approached the victim using homophobic language before and during a physical assault. Demands were made for money. When the victim indicated he didn’t have any money for them, one man then slashed the right arm and leg of the victim with a box cutter inflicting 3cm deep gashes. The lead offender then threated to slash the man’s face. The victim managed to break free and made his way to a Coles Express on Dandenong Road – part of the service station immediately North of the park – where he sought assistance.
One of multiple possible witnesses to the assault waited for police at the service station and has provided valuable information to police. The victim of this assault spent 4 days in the Alfred Hospital for his serious injuries and is now recovering.
Further information: these three perpetrators were seen within the vicinity of the park for some considerable time using torches and making homophobic comments to other men in the park, and in some instances chasing these other men. To-date, no information has been received from anyone else who saw these three men, witnessed their behaviour, can describe them or was even threatened or victimised by them prior to the serious assault taking place.
MORE INFORMATION IS NEEDED TO ENABLE THESE MEN TO BE APPREHENDED BEFORE FURTHER AND POSSIBLY MORE SERIOUS ATTACKS TAKE PLACE.
IF YOU PERSONALLY KNOW ANY INFORMATION ABOUT THIS SERIOUS ASSAULT OR OTHER INCIDENTS PLEASE CONTACT CRIME-STOPPERS 1800 333 000. THE ANTI-VIOLENCE PROJECT CAN SUPPORT YOU IN MAKING CONTACT WITH POLICE.
Hi there, I was wondering if anyone was charged with this assault?
I’m a local (though not at the time of this incident), and I’ve noticed some very worrying homophobic graffiti pop up over the past few months, with a strong religious agenda. I’m trying to get a better idea of whats going on around here, and whether my boyfriend and I are in danger.
Have you guys heard anything?
Hi Mark,
Thanks for commenting. No. We understand that no-one has been charged. One of the biggest problems is the lack of reporting to either the AVP or police at the earliest stage of homophobic harassment – even before it gets physical. If we hear about the lower grade homophobic verbalisation, where and when its taking place, if the people are repeating this over and over again, we can developed a shared response and address this behaviour before it leads to physical violence. Thankfully most people in the broader community are NOT homophobic and reject being caught-up in the homophobically motivated actions of others. That said, groups, composed mostly of men, with alcohol, competing to be the most “manly” or seeking to be “leaders” of their group, or curry favour with the group and its leaders, will be from where homophobic harassment and violence stems.