WARNING: GRAPHIC FOOTAGE
A Geraldton hairdresser is fed up with a regular barrage of vulgar harassment she is forced to deal with from men seeking sexual favours, and has called out those who see her as nothing but an Asian “stereotype”.
Mother of one Kim Tran owns a barber shop in the suburb of Rangeway and last week posted a confronting insight into the overwhelming objectification that comes her way.
She resorted to publicly posting one of many text messages — with a phone number included — she has received from customers, requesting extra services. In this instance, the man asked for a “shave and a trim with a happy ending”.
Ms Tran has even put signs up around her store, reminding certain people she is a “hairdresser only”, but still gets these offensive requests almost on a daily basis, both in person and via text messages.
The 29-year-old works two jobs — running a farm with her partner supplying vegetables to Australian supermarkets, as well as her day job at the barber shop, where many of her clients are children and their parents.
Many people think that Asians are mostly prostitutes, so I am often texted or harassed by customers at the store.
She said she was losing sleep over the frequent abuse and vulgarity, and decided it was time to speak up so people know she’s just a hairdresser, no more.
“I am often looked down on by others because I am Asian,” Ms Tran posted. “Many people think that Asians are mostly prostitutes, so I am often texted or harassed by customers at the store.
“I believe there are many other women who have the same problem as me, but the difference is that they don’t dare to say it, maybe because they are shy or don’t want other people to judge them. I feel that isn’t right.”
She works in her salon alone and often keeps her door locked due to constant fear of abuse and break-ins.
“When I have customers I’m confident and keep the door unlocked, but when I’m in here by myself, or with children, I lock the door,” she said.
The Vietnamese woman said she believed the harassment was because of her culture and unfair stereotypes surrounding Asian women.
She claims men show her pornographic images on their phones to make her understand, and said there were instances when men would grope her, despite her not wearing revealing clothing.
“Lots of people come in here and sometimes try and touch me, grab me,” she said.
Ms Tran shared a shocking incident captured on her shop’s CCTV camera, showing a client trying to grope her as he exited the store.
Ms Tran said the text messages she received were taking a toll on her relationship with her partner, and she decided to speak up on social media to save her job and reputation.
“We had a massive argument last week and I told him I was going public. I was nervous because I was worried that they (customers) would make a problem with me. But I thought if I don’t speak it could affect my relationship or my job,” she said.
“What is my daughter going to think when she grows up? I don’t want her to think I am a sex worker or prostitute.”
Ms Tran said she feared if she reported the incidents to the police that people would take revenge on her or her family.
“Sometimes I feel like if I report them they might come back and do something to me,” she said.
Ms Tran said moving to a different location would be difficult because she had built a clientele over two-and-a-half years, and she had customers who supported her business.
I’m getting a little bit scared, and I don’t want to lose this business because I love what I’m doing.
She said many people misunderstood Asian people and often believed the assumptions or stereotypes associated with the culture.
“People go to Asia for a quick trip and be with a girl for a couple nights and pay cheap money. So people think ‘oh, she’s an Asian girl and maybe she does that’, ”she said.
“It has been very rough times here.
“I have so many local people come and support me. I love to cut hair for children, they are so happy when I cut a spiderweb or a design.”
Ms Tran said when she began at the store she felt comfortable working on her own, but now her emotions ran high and she constantly overthought scenarios.
To cope with the sexual harassment, Ms Tran visits a local counseling service and takes sleeping medication.
“I’m getting a little bit scared, and I don’t want to lose this business because I love what I’m doing. So I just ignore it and do what I’m doing,” she said.
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