Hate Bashing In Ballina

Local News, By hazyinseptember, 14th April, 2009

Last Tuesday a 20 year old gay man from Wollongbar was attacked and thrown through a glass shop front in River Street, Ballina.

“It was a straight out hate crime,” said Sean Rich, the victim of the attack. “They were calling me a faggot.”

Ballina police have charged a 17 year old local male, and investigations into the involvement of others are ongoing.

Rich was still in hospital on Thursday, recovering from a 12 cm gash to his upper thigh, a 15 cm wound across his upper arm, a deep gash to his left hand and various cuts and bruises.

Rich says after drinks with friends at the Henry Rous Tavern in Ballina, an altercation started when they stepped outside. He allege that his group crossed the street, where they were set upon by a group of youths that quickly swelled to around 20.

Rich said he owed his life to his friend Tully Rodwell, who helped him.

Scared, bruised and bleeding profusely, he managed to get away and run to the foyer of the nearby Ballina RSL Club.

“I just needed to get somewhere safe. Before I even got there a woman was running along and screaming for help. I was trying to stay calm and make conversation with people in the club so they wouldn’t panic,” he said.

“But I was saying goodbye to my friends because I thought I was going to die. I was bleeding everywhere.”

Rich had moved to Northern New South Wales only two months before the attack. “I love it here. I have my feet sunk in here. It is not the area that did this to me.”

Despite the trauma and the injuries sustained, Rich remains resilient. “They are not worth it, it’s not worth getting upset or angry. This is their problem, not mine. I’m just the one who has to wear the scars. I came out of the closet for a reason, not for others to put me back in it.”

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Your Thoughts

fjmac

said ages ago

good on you Sean, it is so good to hear that kind of positive attitude. Somewhere down the line they will get it in return. Get well soon

crazzymikey

said ages ago

"It doesn't mean that I advocate violence, but at the same time, I am not against using violence in self-defense. I don't call it violence when it's self-defense, I call it intelligence." - Malcolm X I stand by that principle... it's a bit hard when there are like 20 of them. Why do guys who bash gays always do it in big groups! so messed up! cowards that they are.

rudeboy86

said ages ago

Because it makes them feel big and strong. You know what they're like...pack of gutless fuckwits. I am in full support of revenge attacks on dickheads like that. However if you really are stuck in a situation like that with a group of these people, its best that you hope they don't back you into a corner...its bad for them because a cornered person (like animals) are dangerous to fuck with once the survival thing kicks in. At best, take one of them out and run like the fucking wind. If you can get your hand on a solid blunt object like a pole or stick the do that too just in case and don't be afraid to use it either.

JayTee

said ages ago

"it's abit hard when there are like 20 of them". actually in some ways that is easier. if there are 20 people attacking you, by law you would be allowed to do almost anything to stop them. thatt includes pulling people's eyes out. seriously. i know it's disgusting to think about but if you are faced with a situation like this you need to think about what you are prepared to do to save your own life. i would be prepared to have my assailants body parts lying all over the pavement if that was what was required.

eurolad

said ages ago

Now if there were punitive damages in this country not only would the assailant be in jail but he would probably have to sell his house to pay the victim.... if only we were more like the USA where they throw all criminals in jail

Brightside05

said ages ago

Have you ever been in a fight? One guy on each limb with another with an arm around your neck = 15 more bashing the shit through you.

rudeboy86

said ages ago

Yeah I have been in a 8 on one situation...punched the biggest one out and bolted very quickly before I became a punching bag. If you can manage to take one of them out and put them in a situation where you will snap their wrist or elbow if the group moves closer then do it...even then, snap their fucking arm regardless, you may as well try to do some damage before you get out.

rudeboy86

said ages ago

Except for the criminals who are guilty of war crimes and defrauding the population and robbing them of their money on a level that doesn't require the use of weapons.

leverarchfile

said ages ago

It is never easy to overcome ovewhelming odds............many years ago in another life I had one very tough colleague he had fought all over the world and we were working together on a project overseas dealing in particular witrh self defence which was his speciality and he gave one very sage bit of advice..... he said..." if you are faced with unassailable odds and are seriously threatened with death or major injury there is one defence that will deter almost any group of thugs...or religious zealots...." and with that he stuck his hands down his pants and wiped his own shit all over him...........and said........" there are very very few bullies who wil even want to touch you now.................. its the old nutcase....revolting defense....but you just never know

Anthony Mahera

said ages ago

How disgusting. I can't help myself and would have had a massive erge the fight back, Fucking c*nt deserves to be hit back!

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