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Race
Multi-cultural communities, Discrimination and harassment, Useful contacts
Multi-cultural communities
Today Britain is a multi-cultural community. In Somerset 3% of young people are from a black or ethnic minority community. Ethnic diversity is a strength bringing fresh ideas, new skills, labour, capital, resourcefulness and a diversity of cultures. This helps make the country richer and the lives of its people more varied.
Discrimination and harassment
Somerset has the 8th highest number of reported racist incidents in the country for the percentage of its ethnic minority population. If you are from an ethnic minority you are about four times more likely to experience a racist incident in Somerset than if you were living in an urban area such as Birmingham or London
If you have suffered racial discrimination, harassment or abuse, you don't have to put up with it. You have the legal right not to be discriminated against on racial grounds.
Racism is not only about skin colour. Victims can be any colour or ethnicity.
Racial incidents
A racial incident is defined as “any incident which is perceived to be racist by the victim or any other person".
You can report an incident yourself or somebody else can report it on your behalf. If you experience or witness a racial incident you could tell:
| |  | your parents or carers | | | | the police | | | | your school or college | | | | a supervisor at work | | | | Somerset Racial Equality Council |
Hate Crime
Hate crime is a hatred or dislike of a person or group of people because of their sex, racial heritage, religion, disability or sexual orientation. Incidents can be reported on the online hate crime reporting form at www.avonandsomerset.police.uk or www.report-it.org.uk
You can also report a racial incident at your local police station. Avon and Somerset Police has a pack called True Vision which contains local information and telephone numbers. Available from police stations, libraries, GPs and Connexions centres.
Useful contacts
Somerset Racial Equality Council www.srec.org.uk - support and advice about racial harassment (including helping you deal with the police, courts and other services). Call 01458 274200
Equality and Human Rights Commission www.equalityhumanrights.com - deals with rights concerning disability, race, age, gender, sexual orientation, religion and belief (has replaced the Commission for Racial Equality). Helpline for race issues: 0845 604 6610.
Refugee Council Advice Line www.refugeecouncil.org.uk - advice and information on social security, family reunion, identity and travel documentation, education, housing, legal issues, refugee community organisations. Call 020 7346 6777
Immigration Advisory Service www.iasuk.org - legal advice for immigrants and asylum seekers.
Travellers - for further information see the Travellers section on this site.
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