Politics · Australia · 9 hrs ago
Parramatta councillor seeks action after man confronts her at gym
Parramatta councillor Tanya Raffoul was verbally abused at a gym by Adriano Valentino while she was with her brother and sister.
Valentino had repeatedly messaged her about dumped rubbish in her ward, and confronted her after she stopped responding.
Raffoul had already raised concerns with police, but was told they had limited options because he had not directly threatened her.
The encounter was filmed and posted online, where dozens of comments were derogatory towards her; she says threatening messages increased afterward.
Advocates warn that online abuse can escalate into real-world danger, and say authorities should respond before violence occurs.
Councils and NSW Police lack clear, effective systems for handling threats against local officials, and Raffoul is calling for change.
The sources do not say what action will follow.
Parramatta councillor Tanya Raffoul is seeking action after a man confronted and verbally abused her at a gym while she was with family members.
The man, Adriano Valentino, filmed the encounter and posted a seven-minute video online.
Raffoul said the confrontation followed messages about rubbish dumped in her ward, and that she had previously raised concerns about Valentino with police.
She said she has received more threatening messages since the video was posted.
Women for Election chief executive Licia Heath said the video should be enough to warrant extra security protection for Raffoul.
- Who
- Parramatta councillor Tanya Raffoul and Adriano Valentino, who approached and verbally abused her.
- What
- Valentino confronted Raffoul at a gym and posted a video of the encounter. Raffoul is seeking action and said she has received more threatening messages.
- When
- This week, according to the article.
- Where
- At a gym in Sydney. The specific gym location is not stated.
- Why
- Valentino accused Raffoul of being rude and ignoring him after she stopped responding to messages about a pile of rubbish in her ward.
Tanya Raffoul
Adriano Valentino
Confrontation
Tanya Raffoul
Raffoul said deliberately targeting her was unacceptable and called for change.
Adriano Valentino
Valentino accused Raffoul of being rude and ignoring him.
Rubbish issue
Tanya Raffoul
Raffoul had asked for the rubbish pile’s location and told him it would be cleaned up.
Adriano Valentino
Valentino had sent messages about rubbish in her ward.
Valentino began posting inflammatory videos about local politics, according to the article.
Raffoul reported concerns about Valentino to police, who advised that they could do little because he had not directly threatened her.
Valentino approached Raffoul at the gym, verbally abused her and two family members, and filmed the encounter.
Raffoul said she received an increase in threatening messages.
- Councillor
- Tanya Raffoul, Parramatta
- Man who confronted her
- Adriano Valentino, 43
- Video length
- Seven minutes
- Family members present
- Raffoul’s brother and sister
- Comments on video
- Almost 500
- Advocacy group
- Women for Election
What people are saying
At what point do we say enough is enough?
This behaviour must not be normalised. Something needs to change, and quickly.
In what world do we not have enough evidence to say she is in harm’s way?
The problem is, these f---ing, these women.