Malaysian Student's Mother Makes Tearful Plea Over Son's Assault In Melbourne
From THE AGE, AustraliaThe mother of a Malaysian student attacked by a group of men in Melbourne's CBD last Friday, leaving him in an induced coma for several days, has broken down in tears while speaking about her son.***** As early as May this year there had been many reports of racist assaults on foreign students including at least eight Indian students who were attacked in the month of May 2008 in Melbourne alone.
Kevindra Joseph, 19, was lost and asking a friend for directions on a mobile phone when he was attacked by a group of men in Little Lonsdale Street, near the intersection of Russell Street, about 2.50am, police said today.
The engineering student, who had been in Australia for about a month, was found unconscious on the footpath and spent several days in an induced coma at the Royal Melbourne Hospital. He remains in hospital.
Police today released images of two men they believe can assist them with their inquiries, and appealed for witnesses to come forward.
His mother, Rohini Devi, today made a tearful appeal for information about her son's attack. (You can read the full report HERE)
According to the news.com.au website, seventeen foreign students have died in Victoria in the past year from boarding home fires, murders, car crashes and drowning.
These incidents were well publicised and the serious risks involved in being out alone late at night is common knowledge. Vicious assaults especially in Melbourne’s central business district (CBD) are common after dark and police have issued warnings about walking alone at night. Therefore one must ask why this young man was so foolish in venturing out at the unearthly time of 2.50am?
posted by The Malaysian. at 7/31/2008 01:40:00 PM
11 Comments:
I think the most cruel thing to do is to blame the victim. We know that it's really unsafe for women to go out at night and yet they still do, but to blame them for being raped is just wrong, don't you think so? In any case, he is a young man, only 19, so it's usual I suppose, to have the mentality that it-wont-happen-to-me. This is really really sad. Malaysians should be grateful that at least we don't live under some 1st world pretensions and we do as much as we can, address our differences. There was more than 1 occasions when I was studying in Melbourne that I heard whispered racist remarks made about my friends and I.
I think the most cruel thing to do is to blame the victim. We know that it's really unsafe for women to go out at night and yet they still do, but to blame them for being raped is just wrong, don't you think so? In any case, he is a young man, only 19, so it's usual I suppose, to have the mentality that it-wont-happen-to-me. This is really really sad. Malaysians should be grateful that at least we don't live under some 1st world pretensions and we do as much as we can, address our differences. There was more than 1 occasions when I was studying in Melbourne that I heard whispered racist remarks made about my friends and I.
Parents should just avoid sending their children to Australia for further education. It is just as simple as that. Why take the risk when there are so many countries ever ready to take in overseas students.
If a woman wears sexy clothing and gets raped, I suppose you would blame her, instead of the rapist?
Very insensitive comment, MALAYSIAN.
The poor man had been living there for only a month, it's very possible he hasn't had the opportunity to learn about Melbourne's crime situation, between coursework and settling in.
- Abang Maimon.
I guess its all right for a parent to let their kids roam the town at 2.50 am....
its not their fault all the bad hats come out roaming at that time.. plus all the drunkards and louts itching out for a fight.. no its not the boys fault at all.. or his parents...
its just one of those things that happens... its god's will after all...
Melbourne city is not a place to hang around late nights. Remember a Malaysian man was stabbed to death in front of McDonalds:S. Heck i wouldn't recommend anyone hanging around late even in KL. It can also be dangerous in KL.
Unfortunate thing to happen to such a young man.
hey everyone, i too am a Malaysian student studying here in melbourne, living a couple of streets away from Lonsdale and Russell..
i think melbourne/australia is a fantastic place to study.. environment is good, teachers are great. i could actually argue that it is a FAR BETTER place to STUDY compared to KL..
but one thing i won't deny is how it can get rowdy at night here.. it's not something that's hard to avoid but this guy was just unfortunate i guess..God be with him..
racism is an issue everywhere, australia, or malaysia. there are always the good ones and the bad ones..i've had racist comments against me in malaysia, i've had em here too in melb..
Mate,
First of I like reading your blog and respect your views, however you're making it sound like this chap was asking for it.
Add to that he is 19, put yourself in his shoes. A 19 year old male. Of course you would want to be going out etc. Nothing wrong with that. Should he have been more careful,perhaps but he was after all asking for directions when get got beat up for pete's sakes!
There is violence everywhere, not just in Melbourne or KL or even Auckland. What happened to him is tragic, hopefully the authorities can first apprehend the individuals responsible and look at clamping down on this cowardly acts.
dont beleive everything u read on the media. this young man was found at 2.50 am not walking at 2.50! and he was on the phone with his friend at 1.50 am getting instructions to get home as he was lost.i know this as i know the family itself.
i am a family member of the boy and for God sake MALAYSIAN get ur facts rite before you make comments!the poor boy was LOST and was FOUND more than an hour after he got attacked on that cold night!no one deserves to be attacked no matter what time or place they are at.Dont make judgements as you will never know what it is like going through all of it, till you are put in the position.Trust me its not a fun one!
My sympathy to the family. It can happen to anyone. The victim was unfortunate for being at the wrong place & the wrong time. Crime can happen anywhere even in the bright day light,even in yr own home. May it be in Melbourne, KL or anywhere. The influence of drug and alcohol is common especially in the night life. EVEN Children get kidnapped, rape and murdered on the way to pasar malam, where there are crowd observing...I love Melbourne too, but its best to be careful all the time. I hope the police will do their part and not leave crime unsolved. Whoever does it must be punished.
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