GEELONG ADVERTISER

NICHOLAS PAYNE

 

STAFF members at a Geelong Chinese massage business say they are feeling targeted and nervous following a series of alleged harassment incidents.

Royal Hands Chinese Massage workers have been abused and harassed at least three times over the past month, including an alleged incident where a female student tried to steal a staff member’s phone and money from the register.

Manager Mark Lin said the staff, several of whom had limited or no English, were “nervous sometimes” about coming into work.

“Some teenage girls come sometimes, we’ve even had someone try to take a phone and pick up money,” Mr Lin said.

He said he believed there was a racial element to the abuse.

“I think so, because we’re Asian,” he said. “We hope it stops.”

Anti-Defamation Commission chairman Dvir Abramovich said the alleged incidents of racial intolerance were “troubling”.

“Australians of all faiths, nationalities, and ethnicities should feel secure in their workplace, without the fear of being singled out for vilification simply because of who they are,” Dr Abramovich said.

“The fact that young people are involved in this distressing episode is an urgent reminder that racism and bigoted attitudes towards minorities remain a force, and that they must be countered with educational initiatives.”

He said the Anti-Defamation Commission was “proud to stand in solidarity with the Chinese community of Geelong”.

“In addition to those individuals directly targeted, such troubling attacks deeply affect the entire community and leave them feel vulnerable,” he said.

“We call on the good people of Geelong — from all backgrounds — to say in one voice that there is absolutely is no room for hate in our tolerant and respectful Australia.”

The reports come only weeks after students from a Geelong school were banned from the Little Malop St business strip outside Market Square Shopping Centre amid fears of violence and drug use.

Geelong police Inspector Graham Banks has indicated a covert crackdown on drug use and other illegal activities in the mall was set to commence over the coming months.

Geelong police have committed to working with the City of Greater Geelong, the Department of Justice and other stakeholders to improve the amenity of the area.