A woman has been arrested over the recent alleged assault of two Muslim women in Melbourne’s north.
Victoria Police confirmed on Wednesday afternoon that a 31-year-old woman from Pascoe Vale had been arrested over the alleged attacks at Pacific Epping on Thursday.
Police said the woman had been charged with intentionally and recklessly causing injury, unlawful assault and aggravated assault, adding she would appear before Melbourne Magistrates’ Court later on Wednesday.
It will be alleged the victims were targeted due to wearing head coverings, Victoria Police said in a statement. One of the women she believed the attacks were motivated by Islamophobia as both of the alleged victims were wearing hijabs.
A Victoria Police spokeswoman said: “Investigators are also continuing to investigate a report of online threats being made against one of the victims.”
“There is absolutely no place in our society for discriminatory, racist, or hate-based behaviour and such activity will not be tolerated.”
The 31-year-old allegedly attacked a 30-year-old woman from Lalor, who was pregnant, and a 26-year-old woman from Wollert, both of whom sustained non-life-threatening injuries.
One of the women told SBS News after she had been notified of the arrest that she wanted “justice” and was still afraid to leave her home following the alleged attack.