Violence ‘needs reporting’

Police are hunting for the man responsible for a vicious attack inside a lesbian-owned bar in Brunswick St last month.

A number of women were attacked when a man, presumed drunk, was asked to leave Libation after lighting a cigarette inside the venue.

One of the victims, community volunteer and SSO Media board member Kylie Bartel, was knocked to the ground and kicked repeatedly.

Bartel, who was taken to hospital for treatment, told Southern Star the man became aggressive and threw a glass at bar staff after being asked to leave.

“He lost it and threw a glass at the barmaid’s head and then grabbed another glass and threw it at the door,” she said.

Bartel said she suggested to one of the man’s friends they should take him home.

“He went quiet and that’s when I knew it wasn’t good,” she said.

The man charged at Bartel, punching her on the side of her head, knocking her to the floor. He then started kicking her face and body.

“He said, ‘You fucking leso, I’ll show you’, ” Bartel said.

Another woman tried to stop the man, however, she too was punched and hit the floor, dislocating her elbow. The venue’s DJ unsuccessfully tried to pull the man off Bartel, then other bystanders also joined in.

Bartel said she didn’t believe the attack was homophobically motivated, however, the man did refer to women as “lesos” and made verbal threats.

She said she wanted to share her story to highlight the importance of the community reporting violence.

Police have described the offender as around 178cm tall with long black hair in a ponytail, and wearing a black leather jacket.

Libation owner Zoe Davis told Southern Star the attack was an isolated incident and the bar remained a safe space for women.

“We’ve been here three years and we’ve not had anything like that before,” she said.

Anti-Violence Project spokesman Greg Adkins commended the bar staff and patrons for their quick actions.

“From the victims trying to protect each other, through to the people in the venue who were able to drag some women inside the venue to safety, they worked as a cohesive team within the limits of their abilities, given the extreme violence of the perpetrator,” Adkins said.

“It could have been far worse had they not all worked together.”

info: To report violence, visit
www.antiviolence.info or call police.