The First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria has condemned the attack for a First Nations woman in a state forest saying it cant go unchecked.
Djab Wurrung woman and former Greens senate candidate, Sissy Austin was attacked last weekend while jogging through the Lal Lal State Forest.
The unknown man attacked her with a makeshift weapon leaving her to run about four kilometres to her car to call for help.
Austin, who is a former member of the assembly, described her attacker as caucasian and was wearing black jeans, a cap and no shoes or shirt.
Co-Chair of the First Peoples’ Assembly, Aunty Geraldine Atkinson says “Sissy was just minding her own business, running through Country, only to be subjected to this cowardly, violent attack.”
She says “We hope that she has a full and swift recovery, and that the person responsible is found and held accountable. I’m confident Sissy will continue to be a powerful voice for her community.”
IMAGE: Wikimedia Commons
