Two Muslim Women Attacked in Suspected Islamophobic Assaults at Melbourne Shopping Centre

The assaults, which left the victims injured and traumatized, are being investigated as prejudice-motivated attacks by Victoria Police.

Two Muslim women, one of whom is pregnant, were violently attacked in separate incidents at the Pacific Epping shopping centre in Melbourne on February 13, with police treating the assaults as prejudice-motivated crimes.
The victims, both wearing hijabs, suffered physical injuries including bruises and potential long-term effects, and have reported feeling unsafe in their own country following the attacks.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese condemned the assaults as 'outrageous' and called for the perpetrators to face the full force of the law, while some community leaders criticized the government's response as insufficient compared to actions taken against antisemitism.
The incidents have sparked wider concerns about the rise in Islamophobic violence in Australia, with reports of a 510% increase in Islamophobic incidents since late 2023, particularly targeting visibly Muslim women.
Victoria Police is reviewing CCTV footage and has increased patrols in the area, while Muslim advocacy groups are calling for stronger government action to address hate crimes and ensure the safety of Muslim communities.