On 25 August, a Hong Kong cosplayer, who goes by the username @/3000_tsuki._.cos_0318 on Instagram, was attacked by a group of teenagers in Sydney’s Chinatown, in an incident marked by physical violence and racist abuse.
The case has fuelled debate over youth crime and rising concerns about racially motivated attacks targeting Asian communities.
A Terrifying Assault
The 18-year-old victim said she was walking with a 17-year-old friend around 7:25 p.m. when a group of teenagers surrounded them, pulled off her wig, and struck her on the head.
The group allegedly filmed the assault while hurling racist insults.
“I was terrified, crying and shaking, screaming for help. But no one helped us,” she recounted.
Although a passerby filmed part of the confrontation, the footage did not capture the physical beating.
Escalation and Police Dismissal
After fleeing the scene, the victim and her friend were followed again. The teenagers reportedly shot water guns at them, taunted them with slurs, and continued filming.
When the victim confronted one of the attackers, a scuffle broke out, leaving her friend scratched and bitten.
A bystander, described as a white male, intervened in favour of the teenagers, striking the victims and demanding they release the girls.
The victim said she was pushed to the ground, felt severe pain, and then fainted.
The pair reported the incident to police, but their initial complaint was dismissed because the assailants were minors and the case was not considered to involve “serious physical harm.”
Online Anger and Bystander Inaction
The case has triggered outrage online, with many criticising both the police response and the unwillingness of bystanders to help.
“It’s in the middle of Chinatown ffs. Can’t believe everyone just let that slide,” one Reddit user wrote.
Another added: “It’s ridiculous how no one ever steps in. The people who do nothing are just as bad as the racist little twats doing it.”
A Pattern of Racially Targeted Youth Violence
This latest incident comes just months after a violent May 22 attack in Sydney’s Eastgardens, where a Chinese couple were brutally beaten by a group of teenagers. Seven children aged 11 to 16 were later charged. The woman sustained fractured fingers, bruising, and impaired vision.
The Chinese consulate in Sydney condemned that case, saying it reflected a disturbing pattern of “violent acts against ethnic Chinese and Chinese students.” Community members have since reported similar experiences of harassment and abuse.
Calls for Action
Chinese Australian MP Jason Yat-Sen Li told parliament in May that “racism doesn’t need to be proven in court to be real in people’s lives,” calling for deeper reforms to address both youth violence and racism. Advocates argue that tougher penalties for repeat offenders must be balanced with addressing root causes such as poverty and trauma.
For the Hong Kong cosplayer, the night remains deeply distressing. She has appealed for witnesses to share evidence, writing:
“Many people told me they had harassed others on this street. If you have any evidence, please contact me.”
Watch the concerning video here:
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