ABC  NEWS

Facebook profile photo of City of Salisbury councillor Sarah Ouk.

A South Australian councillor says she was spat at during a coronavirus-related racist attack as she went to pick up groceries last week.

Key points:

  • A councillor in Adelaide's northern suburbs says she was shaken after a racist attack
  • The perpetrator then allegedly spat at her as she crossed the road
  • Anti-discrimination agencies have recorded a spike in racism reports

 

Councillor for the City of Salisbury Sarah Ouk said she was waiting on an island to cross a road on her way to pick up groceries last Monday when a man in a passing car shouted at her.

"[The driver] started to scream that 'you Asians bring corona[virus] to Australia'," Ms Ouk said.

"He stuck his head out and tried to do sneezing, coughing, and then he spat at me.

"I don't know whether it landed or not because my back was towards him."

After the car passed, Ms Ouk finished crossing the road and went into the store, but she said the incident had made her feel afraid.

"I crossed to the other side to go to Aldi with that fear — I was like 'what's happening? What did I do wrong?'" she said.

"I went in [with] all these mixed emotions … into the store, and then this couple was looking at me really weirdly like I'm full of viruses or something.

"I [thought] 'oh my god, oh my god, this is not good'.

"So, I just got all my groceries that I needed … and quickly came out and [went] back home."

'No-one deserves this'

Ms Ouk said she almost broke out in tears afterwards.

"I was really devastated — no one deserves this," she said.

"Everyone should have the equal opportunity to shop freely and shop safe.

"Racism … is not fair and it's not right.

"Anyone does not need this kind of behaviour — it's not on."

Ms Ouk said did not see the car's registration number, or see the man's face clearly, so she was unable to make a complaint about the incident to SA Police.

Ms Ouk arrived in Australia in 1986 with her mother as refugees from Cambodia.

However, an informal report was made to the Office of South Australia's Equal Opportunity Commissioner.

Commissioner Dr Niki Vincent described the attack as "sickening" and called on all Australians to show kindness to each other.

Racism reports increase during coronavirus pandemic

Dr Vincent said human rights and anti-discrimination agencies across the country had recorded an increase in racial discrimination complaints related to the coronavirus.

"Across Australia, there have been reports of nursing and medical staff being shunned because of their race, people being denied entry to places or services because of fears they will transmit COVID-19 and people of Asian heritage being racially abused while shopping," she said.

"I am sure most South Australians would agree that this kind of behaviour is incredibly harmful at an individual and community level.

"Can you imagine how your wellbeing would be impacted if you were out doing your shopping in this already stressful time, and then had a stranger racially attack you in public and accuses you of bringing COVID-19 to Australia?"

She added that racial abuse was against the law in Australia and that "this is a time when we need, more than ever, to be compassionate and kind".

"It's against the law to insult, humiliate or abuse someone in public because of their race," Dr Vincent said.

"As an inclusive, multi-racial and welcoming society, this kind of behaviour is unacceptable."

South Australians can report instances of discrimination to Dr Vincent's office via the website www.eoc.sa.gov.

Racial vilification can be reported to SA Police or to the Australian Human Rights Commission.

You need to be a member of 1Eyed Eel to add comments!

Join 1Eyed Eel

Votes: 0
Email me when people reply –

Replies

This reply was deleted.

Latest comments

Parrafan101 replied to Joeyboyz's discussion Is Jarome Luai worth going after?
"Man most of you fans are so clueless, Luai's hunger to win and paired with moses will make us a champion side. Saying no to a 4x winner is a joke most of us fans are jokes and clueless. He is the player ryles will want on our side, when the going…"
5 minutes ago
Parrafan101 replied to Joeyboyz's discussion Is Jarome Luai worth going after?
"No because luais manager is Issac Moses."
13 minutes ago
Frankie Fong replied to Joeyboyz's discussion Is Jarome Luai worth going after?
"No doubt having proven dopes like Mark O'Neill and Jim Sarantonis puts Parramatta at a huge disadvantage as has been proven  , but if Jerome is unhappy at the tigers and wants to join a club with better prospects then he knows he will have to take a…"
15 minutes ago
Coryn Hughes replied to Joeyboyz's discussion Is Jarome Luai worth going after?
"Cmon Frankie Luai's agent pulls MoNs pants down everyday of the week.He's not taking less to come here."
37 minutes ago
GM replied to Joeyboyz's discussion Is Jarome Luai worth going after?
"NO"
41 minutes ago
Frankie Fong replied to Joeyboyz's discussion Is Jarome Luai worth going after?
"I'd take him for sure and Parra would have a very good shot at getting him too , no chance in hell Jarome would be happy at the tigers so I'd have no doubt that if the right club came along he would take up his get out clause.
 
Money wise I think…"
44 minutes ago
Mick aka Supreme Leader replied to Joeyboyz's discussion Is Jarome Luai worth going after?
"100 percent,  Jerome is winner and he would bring a great energy but I wouldn't break the bank - he was a half back in his early playing days."
51 minutes ago
Mick aka Supreme Leader replied to Joeyboyz's discussion Is Jarome Luai worth going after?
"Yes for the right sum"
54 minutes ago
Richard Jackson replied to Johnny Suede's discussion Eels side for round 19 against the Panthers at CommBank
"As you say Chief simmo has to be in the side allowing for fitness or niggle.
He looked mighty sharp last week in Cup"
1 hour ago
LB replied to Joeyboyz's discussion Is Jarome Luai worth going after?
"I wouldn't call Da Silva a cancer. He was happy to stick with Wests if they provided him a plan post Api but Wests just said better off going now. He wanted to stay for 2026. I wouldn't call that cancerous."
2 hours ago
LB replied to Joeyboyz's discussion Is Jarome Luai worth going after?
"Yet still has the options in his favour."
2 hours ago
Hell On Eels replied to Eels2025's discussion Jason Ryles... Report so far
"Randy/Daz.
Definitely not too late to take a strong-Kill-AI-stand, unless you're orbiting earth or living in a cave near Siwa in the Sahara. 
Sure, not the slightest whiff of irony or glass-houseyness you merrily use AI everyday on smartphones,…"
2 hours ago
SuperEel 22 replied to Joeyboyz's discussion Is Jarome Luai worth going after?
"There are a couple things to consider.
First, his asking price. Could we get him for a price we'd be happy with and allow us to build a squad and retain players we need to.
Second is whether he fits the culture Ryles is trying to build. Ryles is…"
2 hours ago
Frank The Tank replied to Joeyboyz's discussion Is Jarome Luai worth going after?
"Hey don't knock beige wallpaper - take it out on cream or bone as they are far more offensive."
2 hours ago
Frank The Tank replied to Joeyboyz's discussion Is Jarome Luai worth going after?
"No I personally can't stand the guy. Overrated as hell and just his overall personality and demeanor is off."
2 hours ago
Sparky 74 replied to Joeyboyz's discussion Is Jarome Luai worth going after?
"Luai or Katoa at the EELS is what we need as a 5/8 replacement of Dylan Brown.
JR needs to get either one over ASAP as we do know these days contracts mean nothing.
 
Laui for me would be better as he & moses geled well in origin last year.
Moses is…"
2 hours ago
More…

NSW Origin Squad 2025

WESTPAC NSW BLUES SQUADAmpol State of Origin, Game OneSuncorp Stadium, Brisbane Wednesday 28 May1. Dylan Edwards (Penrith Panthers)2. Brian To’o (Penrith Panthers)3. Stephen Crichton (Canterbury-Bankstown Bulldogs)4. Latrell Mitchell (South Sydney…

Read more…
0 Replies
Views: 270

 

<script src="https://pagead2.googlesyndication.com/pagead/js/adsbygoogle.js"></script>
<!-- Sidebar -->
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<script>// <![CDATA[
(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({});
// ]]></script>