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🇦🇺 Australia /Crime & Justice

Migrant Driver Claims SA Police Dismissed Assault Allegations

From ABC Australia · (20m ago) English Critical tone

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

TLDR

  • A Chinese delivery driver alleges he was assaulted in Adelaide's CBD on April 1 and that SA Police did not take his claims seriously.
  • The driver, Chao Wu, stated police told him the case was closed, initially deeming it a "mutual fight."
  • A migrant advocacy group assisted Mr. Wu in making a further report, and SA Police have since stated the incident is now "under investigation."

The experience of Chao Wu, a Chinese national working as a delivery driver in Adelaide, raises serious concerns about how South Australia Police handle assault claims, particularly from migrant workers. Mr. Wu alleges he was violently attacked on April 1 while making a delivery, sustaining injuries that required hospital treatment. His distress was compounded when, according to his account, police informed him that the case was closed, classifying it as a "mutual fight" without what he felt was a thorough investigation.

He rushed from the warehouse to the door and attacked me … and then he held a stick and said that he wanted to kill me, and then I was injured in many places

— Chao WuMr. Wu describes the alleged assault, detailing the attacker's actions and his resulting injuries.

This alleged dismissal of his complaint has understandably left Mr. Wu feeling deeply disappointed and questioning the fairness of the justice system. His account, shared through an interpreter, highlights the vulnerability of migrant workers who may face language barriers and a lack of understanding of local procedures. The fact that he had to seek assistance from a volunteer migrant advocacy group, Fair Go SA, to pursue the matter further underscores a potential gap in police responsiveness and victim support.

I felt that my head and chest were hit hard, and then I fell to the ground, and then what happened was … that I felt beaten all over my body and strangled.

— Chao WuMr. Wu further elaborates on the physical trauma he experienced during the alleged attack.

While SA Police have now stated the incident is "under investigation" following a complaint about the handling of the case, the initial response described by Mr. Wu and his advocate, Say Kapsis, is troubling. Ms. Kapsis expressed astonishment that "in 2026 this kind of thing still happens," emphasizing the need for greater diligence and sensitivity from law enforcement. The story resonates within the Chinese community, where it has gained traction on social media, highlighting the importance of ensuring all residents, regardless of background, feel protected and that their allegations are treated with the seriousness they deserve.

I was very disappointed with the police's handling at that time, I thought that was why I needed to look for evidence, I think the investigation should be a matter for the police, not a matter for … victims

— Chao WuMr. Wu expresses his frustration with the police response, emphasizing that the burden of investigation should not fall on the victim.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by ABC Australia in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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