A REPORT FROM Nasc, the Irish Immigrant Support Centre, has highlighted that four in five victims of racism fail to report it, with nearly one in three not realising that laws exist to protect them against such incidents.
Launching today’s report, entitled “Stop the Silence: A Snapshot of Racism in Cork” was Seán Óg Ó hAilpín, who lived on the island of Rotuma and in Australia prior to moving to Cork in 1988.
Speaking of his experience, he said:
When my family moved to Cork, it was initially very tough for all of us. Coming from a different background, we were used to how things were in Australia. We felt out of place. And other people made us feel out of place. And it was very, very tough.
Discrimination
The report found that 55 per cent of the 171 respondents surveyed believed racism to be an issue in Cork, rising to 62.3 per cent of respondents with an African origin.
Those of African origin were also found more likely to be victims of racially motivated attacks.
(Breakdown of respondents, by ethnic origin – report)
The report found that 45 per cent of people surveyed experienced discrimination in “at least one area of everyday life”.
“Everyday life” scenarios included dealing with service providers, i.e. a shop attendant, with 38.5 per cent of respondents having experienced discrimination in this area.
The areas of housing and employment were also highlighted as areas in which those surveyed found themselves discriminated against.
(Discrimination experienced based on race, ethnicity, immigration status or religion – report)
Reporting
For those who had experienced racist and/or discriminatory behaviour toward them, more than four in five (82.8 per cent) did not report it, with half of those failing to do so because they believed “that nothing would happen or change by reporting the incident.”
Of the 17.2 per cent that did report it, almost one in three were “extremely unsatisfied” with the response they received.
One in ten respondents reported that they didn’t know “how or where” to report an incident if one did happen.
Almost one in three respondents from an ethic minority did not know that laws were in place in Ireland to protect against discrimination.
(Off all respondents who failed to report discrimination, what was the reason – report)
The CEO of Nasc, Fiona Finn said while the report was related to racism in Cork, it was also “important to recognise that it’s an issue all over Ireland and Europe.”
Nasc offer those who believe that they have been a victim of racism or discrimination to avail of a “third party mechanism,” which allows both victims and witnesses to report an incident confidentially.
If it’s determined that a crime has been committed, they then receive support in making a complaint to An Garda Síochána.
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