Shops, cafes, pubs and supermarkets should be places everyone can access without being met with suspicious looks, being ignored, or having your bag checked. But many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria still face racial profiling, unfair treatment and hurtful comments in retail settings. These everyday experiences can cause shame, isolation and real harm.

In this episode of Know Your Rights, you’ll discover what racism in retail settings looks like, how it affects people and families, and practical steps you can take if it happens to you. You’ll hear from Siobhan Doyle, Principal Managing Lawyer – Civil Law and Human Rights Practice at the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service, and Lorena Walker, Community Legal Education Project Officer at the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service, who share real world examples and advice to help you and your mob stay safe and informed.

This episodes is narrated by journalist Jedda Costa, a proud Wemba Wemba, Yorta Yorta, Barapa Barapa and Mutti Mutti woman.

Know Your Rights is a 5-part series presented by the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission in partnership with the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service.

If you or someone you know has experienced race discrimination, you can get help from the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission or VALS - visit humanrights.vic.gov.au for more information.

Click here to access the shownotes, resources and transcript.

Other links and resources mentioned in the episode:
humanrights.vic.gov.au
www.vals.org.au

Song credits:
Koori Woman - Carol Fraser
Call It Out - David Arden

Shops, cafes, pubs and supermarkets should be places everyone can access without being met with suspicious looks, being ignored, or having your bag checked. But many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in Victoria still face racial profiling, unfair treatment and hurtful comments in retail settings. These everyday experiences can cause shame, isolation and real harm.
In this episode of Know Your Rights, you&rsquo;ll discover what racism in retail settings looks like, how it affects people and families, and practical steps you can take if it happens to you. You&rsquo;ll hear from Siobhan Doyle, Principal Managing Lawyer &ndash; Civil Law and Human Rights Practice at the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service, and Lorena Walker, Community Legal Education Project Officer at the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service, who share real world examples and advice to help you and your mob stay safe and informed.
This episodes is narrated by journalist Jedda Costa, a proud Wemba Wemba, Yorta Yorta, Barapa Barapa and Mutti Mutti woman.
Know Your Rights is a 5-part series presented by the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission in partnership with the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service.
If you or someone you know has experienced race discrimination, you can get help from the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission or VALS - visit <a href="http://humanrights.vic.gov.au">humanrights.vic.gov.au</a> for more information.
<a href="https://www.humanrights.vic.gov.au/resources/racism-in-retail-settings-standing-up-against-discrimination-in-everyday-places/">Click here to access the shownotes, resources and transcript.</a>
Other links and resources mentioned in the episode:
<ul>
<li><a href="http://humanrights.vic.gov.au">humanrights.vic.gov.au</a></li>
<li><a href="http://www.vals.org.au">www.vals.org.au</a></li>
</ul>
Song credits:
<ul>
<li>Koori Woman - Carol Fraser</li>
<li>Call It Out - David Arden</li>
</ul>

Have you ever been refused service because of who you are? Do you feel like the education system wasn’t built for you? Have you or your kids faced racist comments whilst playing sports or going to school? Know Your Rights shines a light on the everyday discrimination First Peoples in Victoria continue to face — in schools, sport, shops, healthcare, and within the criminal legal system. 

Hosted by journalist Jedda Costa, a proud Wemba Wemba, Yorta Yorta and Mutti Mutti woman from Naarm, this 5 part series unpacks real stories from community and explores how they connect to our shared history and ongoing fight for justice.

Created for First Peoples in Victoria and presented by the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) in partnership with the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS), Know Your Rights looks at systemic inequality — from the tragic case of Veronica Nelson to the subtle, everyday moments of bias and exclusion — and asks what it will take to build a fairer future for all.

If you want to get clearer on your rights, speak up for yourself or others, or learn how to better support First Peoples in your community, this podcast gives you real stories and practical tools to help. All episodes will be launching in February 2026 - subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts. For more information, visit https://www.humanrights.vic.gov.au. 

All episodes were recorded on Wurundjeri Country, Naarm in 2025.

Have you ever been refused service because of who you are? Do you feel like the education system wasn&rsquo;t built for you? Have you or your kids faced racist comments whilst playing sports or going to school? Know Your Rights shines a light on the everyday discrimination First Peoples in Victoria continue to face &mdash; in schools, sport, shops, healthcare, and within the criminal legal system.&nbsp;
Hosted by journalist Jedda Costa, a proud Wemba Wemba, Yorta Yorta and Mutti Mutti woman from Naarm, this 5 part series unpacks real stories from community and explores how they connect to our shared history and ongoing fight for justice.
Created for First Peoples in Victoria and presented by the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) in partnership with the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS), Know Your Rights looks at systemic inequality &mdash; from the tragic case of Veronica Nelson to the subtle, everyday moments of bias and exclusion &mdash; and asks what it will take to build a fairer future for all.
If you want to get clearer on your rights, speak up for yourself or others, or learn how to better support First Peoples in your community, this podcast gives you real stories and practical tools to help. All episodes will be launching in February 2026 - subscribe now wherever you get your podcasts. For more information, visit <a href="https://www.humanrights.vic.gov.au">https://www.humanrights.vic.gov.au</a>.&nbsp;
All episodes were recorded on Wurundjeri Country, Naarm in 2025.

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