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

Parra_Greg replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Ponga linked with dogs move 🙃
"If this is true throw the bank at Burton Parra ....so much taent and utility value and goal kicks better then Lomax"
29 seconds ago
Eli Stephens replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Ponga linked with dogs move 🙃
"They need middles badly, bench is buggered to "
53 seconds ago
Eli Stephens replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Ponga linked with dogs move 🙃
"Dogs would pay his remaining 900k or whatever the remaining is. "
3 minutes ago
Eli Stephens replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Ponga linked with dogs move 🙃
"Not many teams would be willing to pay him 1.3 million straight up. Knights can free up 800k by pissing him off and Fletcher sharpe moves to fullback. Use the 800k on other parts of the team. He's like a 1.3 million dollar anchor "
4 minutes ago
Perpetual Motion replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Ponga linked with dogs move 🙃
"Knights should let him go, he is a generational player but they are not getting value from him. Move Sharpe to FB, Drown to 5/8 and go hard at someone like Pezet and a decent middle or 2. It would be a way more balanced team."
5 minutes ago
Darren Munro replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Ponga linked with dogs move 🙃
"Why would knights pay 400k? He wants to leave. You mean Bulldogs paying 400k to knights? Burton isnt on 800k on the books anyway. More in the 600s. According to when knights paid overs for Dylbags. So 600s I would take Burton. "
11 minutes ago
Perpetual Motion replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Kirk, Part 3: The Deep Divide
"They were more focused on the footage of him running across the roof and leaving the scene. After watching a handfull of these videos the algorythm started feeding me Steve Banon and Candice Owens. It was time to quit it.
I did learn that they…"
11 minutes ago
Wizardssleeves official receipts replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Ponga linked with dogs move 🙃
"That'll fuckimg do me. How can they not be questioned by the media ?  It's getting a bit of a joke now. "
12 minutes ago
Eli Stephens replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Some Rumours circling Pezet
33 minutes ago
Eli Stephens replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Some Rumours circling Pezet
"From what I'm seeing on Pezet, titans are looking at a loan deal 1 year for him. His preference is to be at storm. Doesn't sound like a player on our radar "
35 minutes ago
TeeBone replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Kirk, Part 3: The Deep Divide
"It was a clearly a lefty lunatic from the get go it's common sense. If only we all waited for "receipts " like you we wouldn't look so silly now."
49 minutes ago
Eli Stephens replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Ponga linked with dogs move 🙃
"Ponga is on about 1.3 million, let's say knights pay 400k of that dogs would need to move off Burton 800k straight to parra lol "
56 minutes ago
Darren Munro replied to Eli Stephens's discussion Ponga linked with dogs move 🙃
"Probably signing him for 300k. Sign Burton asap. Get dogs to pay some of the freight. "
58 minutes ago
Darren Munro replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion Some Rumours circling Pezet
"Would prefer Burton.  Can cover centre and lock as well. If the rumors are true."
1 hour ago
Prof. Daz replied to Hell On Eels's discussion Kirk, Part 3: The Deep Divide
"Bob Smith wants engagement, obviously, because he has complained in several posts that all of his posts were deleted. Bob calls these posts, only one of which was deleted (says HOE), his "considered" thoughts.
OK, let's engage with them, seeing as…"
1 hour ago
Darren Munro replied to Cʜɪᴇғy Mclovin 🐐's discussion National Schoolboys cup final 1pm today (ch 9)
"Yes Colin how bad was the goal kicking? Very disappointing overall. "
1 hour ago
More…

 

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