By CAMERON LUCADOU-WELLS
A REGULAR commuter took a stand against three men allegedly racially abusing a woman at Dandenong railway station last week.
Kait O’Callahan said that while she was waiting for a train home said she was shocked to witness a Maori woman in her 20s told to “go back to your country” by the men about 4.30pm on May 29. They also hurled abuse “in slurred voices” involving sheep, taxes and Kiwis.
She said the woman retaliated with insults while bystanders stared in silence.
Ms O’Callahan, not wanting to be “someone who didn’t do anything”, decided to console the upset woman rather than go “blindly into a confrontation” with the men.
Two teenage boys then joined her in support.
“Three people was all it took for the men to realise she was not alone. They soon backed off,” Ms O’Callahan wrote in a statement to the Journal.
“As a white New Zealander, I didn’t think the sting of racism was something I’d ever feel.
“But there I was, watching a countrywoman being bullied by complete strangers because of where she was born. Even though I was not their direct target, I felt their insults too.”
She urges other commuters to adopt a similar stance in the face of racial slurs.
“Simply by letting the victim know you are on their side, we can help others to feel less alone and make Australia a better place. By supporting each other, by speaking up or merely standing close, we can make bullies feel smaller.”
Despite a recent string of high-profile racial abuse incidents on public transport, neither Metro Trains nor Public Transport Victoria are planning any public education campaigns on the issue.
Inspector Ron Gardner, who is Dandenong police’s community engagement manager, advises commuters to be assertive against such bullies.
“The general advice is if your safety is not at risk, the community can make it known that [the abuse] is not acceptable.
“You can tell them to ‘cut it out’. There’s nothing wrong with yelling out: ‘If you don’t stop, I’ll call the police’.
“If you’re in a position to offer support, do so. But be mindful of your safety.”
Racial vilification, which incites hatred, serious contempt, revulsion or severe ridicule against a person because of their race or religion, is illegal in Victoria.
Anyone who suffers racial abuse should report the incident to their local police station.
