ID :
61736
Thu, 05/21/2009 - 20:52
Auther :
Shortlink :
http://m.oananews.org//node/61736
The shortlink copeid
Attacks made on foreign Uni students
NSW Police have charged six youths as young as 12 following a series of unprovoked
attacks on foreign students at Newcastle University.
Police say there have been 11 reports of international students being bashed and
robbed at knifepoint around Jesmond and Callaghan, suburbs neighbouring the
university.
The youths, aged 12 to 16, have been charged with numerous offences including
assault and aggravated robbery, police said.
The attacks occurred over the past four months and police believe there may have
been other attacks which have not been reported.
A student representative said many foreign students failed to report the attacks out
of fear or ignorance of the legal system.
"Many don't report, (because they do) not feel confident, don't know legislation,
don't (want to) make more problems or more issues," Newcastle University Student
Association (NUSA) international student convenor Eduardo Carvajal told AAP.
He said many students had become scared to go out at night and he was concerned the
assaults could result in tragedy.
"I don't want to see my students in a cemetery," Mr Carvajal said.
A police spokesman said further charges were expected to be laid in the coming days
as investigations continued.
However, the university has played down the attacks, denying there's any connection
between the incidents or that international students are being targeted.
"There have been a number of isolated incidents where students have been confronted
by groups of people, and the university is working closely with NSW Police on the
issue," Deputy Vice-Chancellor Dr Sue Gould said.
"There is no evidence to support claims that international students are being
specifically targeted, and the incidents appear to be opportunistic.
She said the university had sufficient security measures in place and students were
at no at risk of harm.
"The university has robust and highly visible security arrangements in place which
are constantly under review, and staff and students on our Callaghan campus are very
safe."
attacks on foreign students at Newcastle University.
Police say there have been 11 reports of international students being bashed and
robbed at knifepoint around Jesmond and Callaghan, suburbs neighbouring the
university.
The youths, aged 12 to 16, have been charged with numerous offences including
assault and aggravated robbery, police said.
The attacks occurred over the past four months and police believe there may have
been other attacks which have not been reported.
A student representative said many foreign students failed to report the attacks out
of fear or ignorance of the legal system.
"Many don't report, (because they do) not feel confident, don't know legislation,
don't (want to) make more problems or more issues," Newcastle University Student
Association (NUSA) international student convenor Eduardo Carvajal told AAP.
He said many students had become scared to go out at night and he was concerned the
assaults could result in tragedy.
"I don't want to see my students in a cemetery," Mr Carvajal said.
A police spokesman said further charges were expected to be laid in the coming days
as investigations continued.
However, the university has played down the attacks, denying there's any connection
between the incidents or that international students are being targeted.
"There have been a number of isolated incidents where students have been confronted
by groups of people, and the university is working closely with NSW Police on the
issue," Deputy Vice-Chancellor Dr Sue Gould said.
"There is no evidence to support claims that international students are being
specifically targeted, and the incidents appear to be opportunistic.
She said the university had sufficient security measures in place and students were
at no at risk of harm.
"The university has robust and highly visible security arrangements in place which
are constantly under review, and staff and students on our Callaghan campus are very
safe."
