“Those attackers will be after me. I know they will.”: Horrifying social media trend leaves woman scared to shop alone
A disturbing social media trend is prompting teenagers to attack unsuspecting victims in public while others record the violence.
Videos of the attack involving South Australian teenagers were posted in Facebook groups where members are encouraged to continue the violence and upload more footage.
In one video, a woman shopping at a Woolworths store is brutally assaulted by a teenage girl as her friend records and encourages the beating.
In the video, the teenage girls can be seen strolling into the supermarket before picking a target - Jessica Burke, an unsuspecting shopper who happened to walk in front of the girls with her trolley.
“Bash the s*** girl, bash her,” the girl recording says to her friend.
The violent attack then begins with the teenager grabbing Ms Burke by the hair; dragging her to her knees.
After Burke is on the ground, the teenager proceeds to kick and punch her in the head repeatedly in front of horrified shoppers, including children screaming in fear.
To see the harrowing footage in full, head here. Caution: disturbing footage; viewer discretion advised.
The woman suffered injuries to her head but says the psychological effects have been the most painful.
“I can't go down to the shops like Woolies, Coles or Big W without someone with me because I'm too scared,” Ms Burke told 9News.
"Those attackers will be after me. I know they will.”
Several other videos online show the same attacker to be the main offender, assaulting other teenagers in parking lots and in the street.
South Australian Police commissioner, Greg Stevens, said people encouraging the violence can also be charged, not just the attacker.
“It is an offence to incite an offence,” he said.
“If people are actively engaging in an activity that encourages other people to commit a crime then they can be held accountable for that.”
Some local residents believe that even though the teenagers are being charged, they are then released on bail.
“These days it's just a slap on the wrist and send you on your way,” Ms Burke's partner, Tarquin Gray said.
“The system has just gone backwards.”
“It is very complex and it is made more complex when it involves young people committing offences,' Mr Stevens said.
Image Credit: Getty