A teenage girl with autism has allegedly been bashed by a group of youths in Melbourne, leaving her with two black eyes and scared to leave her home.
The alleged attack, which happened at Altona Pier on Wednesday afternoon, was posted online and sent to the victim’s sister.
The girl was allegedly punched more than 50 times and left with serious injuries.
Year 9 student Dakota had been walking along the pier with a friend when she was set upon by a group of five teenage girls.
The 14-year-old was left helpless as the girls delivered blow after blow, pulled the victim’s hair and poured energy drink over her head.
The victim’s mother, who did not want to be identified, told 9News she was beside herself.
“The paramedic counted how many times my daughter has this blow to the head and it was over 55,” she said.
“They thought it was funny. She could have been killed.”
The attack only came to an end when a man nearby intervened.
Dakota spent the night in hospital.
The victim’s mother said her daughter was shy and timid and had just started to come out of her shell when the attack happened.
She said her confidence had been shattered as a result, with the girl too scared to even leave her home without the company of her mother.
“To see your daughter go through that and you’re just helpless,” she said.
“My daughter won’t even go back to school now.”
Police say the attackers are known to the victim but no arrests have been made.
