2022-10-04
Today the Victorian Greens have been informed by the court that all charges against Cr Anab Mohamud have been dropped.
There should now be no doubt that Cr Mohamud was the victim of a violent assault, and that she was let down by police wanting to prosecute her rather than protect her.
This experience reveals how difficult it is for women, and particularly women of colour, to trust police to protect them.
Quotes attributable to Cr Anab Mohamud:
“I welcome the police decision to withdraw the charges against me.
“I did not commit the crimes I was charged with, and the police decision to withdraw makes clear that these charges never should have been brought in the first place.
“When you’re the victim of a sexual assault or a violent crime, police should be there to protect you, not prosecute you.
“Yet sadly things like this happen on a regular basis to people like me. Racist profiling regularly leads police to target Muslims, black people and people of colour.
“After what I’ve experienced I’ll never call the police again, and I’ve told my daughter the same.
“My life has been turned upside down because of this. It’s been painful for me having to remain silent about these matters during the legal process while I was being publicly vilified, rather than recognised as the survivor of a serious crime.”
Quotes attributable to Victorian Greens spokesperson:
“Charges like these are part of the reason why women, especially women of colour, are often too scared to come forward about crimes of this nature.
“Cr Mohamud is a passionate representative of her local community, and is dedicated to advocating for the rights of people living in public housing and on issues affecting young people.
“Throughout this process we have supported her, and we will continue to support her in that work and as she heals from the trauma of this event.”