Meat Cleaver Attack: Please help Joseph

On Saturday 29th February, a night of celebration across the city of Sydney was happening - but for Joseph Stanislav, it was sheer horror.   

He wasn't attending the Mardi Gras parade but instead was at home that day. 

At approximately 2pm Saturday 29th February, Joseph was attacked with a meat cleaver and robbed by two male assailants.  During the robbery, Joseph was also verbally assaulted and called a 'faggot'.  The sheer brutality of this crime suggests that homophobia and hate further fueled the ferociousness of this crime.   

Whilst the images you'll see of Joseph are confronting, it is stark reminder of why we march and why we fight for LGBT rights. 

I didn't know Joseph personally but reached out to him, because I was so shocked and dismayed by what happened.  It's with Joseph's permission that I am running this fundraiser with all proceeds going to him directly.

"I am so frightened to go home. I am totally broken on the outside and inside especially my heart . I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy what I had to go through."

Joseph was just like any of us.  We live our lives expecting not to face anything traumatic like this.  But it has happened to someone in our wider community and we must take action to help. 

Joseph will have a long road of recovery which includes medical expenses, housing and income anxiety but we know it's the mental and physical rehabilitation that will be the longest road Joseph has to walk. 

Please dig deep and if you can help in other ways, please reach out.  Thank you for taking the time to hear about Joseph's frightening situation.