Overcoming the Silence of Racism

A new report from the University of Victoria (VU) has revealed the damaging effects of racism, why those affected often remain silent and ways to improve anti-racism support in Victoria.

This report aims to understand the barriers to reporting and support needs of people experiencing racism in Victoria.

One of the key findings of the report, led by VU Associate Professor Mario Peucker, shows that 76 per cent of respondents have experienced racism in Australia (or from someone they care for); two-thirds of them have experienced racism in the past 12 months, most commonly at work (57 per cent), in shopping centres/stores (50 per cent), on public transport (38 per cent) and in other public places (37 per cent) or online (35 per cent).

Another key finding was that less than 16% of respondents reported an incident of racism to an organisation or community group and those who did reported it primarily within the organisation where the incident occurred or to Victoria Police.

The report, which was produced in partnership with the Ethnic Communities Council of Victoria (ECCV) and the Islamic Council of Victoria (ICV) and funded by the Health Promotion Foundation of Victoria (VicHealth), also shows that the reasons people did not report cases were often interconnected and mutually reinforcing.

These reasons include, among others, a feeling of hopelessness (nothing would change; 91 percent), the belief that reporting is too difficult (83 percent), fear of not being taken seriously (83 percent), fear of negative consequences (76 percent) or not knowing where to report (75 percent), as well as negative reporting experiences in the past that also discourage reporting in the future.

The most recent finding is that less than 30% of respondents believe there are enough adequate reporting options in Victoria, and while a majority generally know how to report an incident to Victoria Police, only a few people know how to access other reporting options and support services.

Based on a community survey of 703 Victorians from culturally and racially marginalised communities and supplemented by 27 focus groups, the findings provide unprecedented insights into community perspectives and experiences of racism, reported barriers and motivations, and support needs after encountering racism.

For those who have experienced racism personally and collectively, speaking out about their experiences is often very painful, distressing and even re-traumatizing, particularly due to the lack of safe spaces for such conversations.

A woman of Somali origin called for more advocacy and community assistance to navigate existing anti-racism support services.

Associate Professor Peucker said listening to and centering these community voices is essential to any progress in reducing racism.

“The fight against racism must be guided by their voices. Our report captures the experiences of hundreds of people who continue to be negatively impacted by racism, while proposing proactive ways to encourage people to speak out and ultimately improve support for the fight against racism,” he said.

ECCV President Mr Eddie Micallef said he believed diverse migrant and refugee communities held the key to developing more effective policies and strategies to end racism in Victoria.

“By better understanding the needs of our migrant and refugee communities, we can empower them to speak out against racism, report it and take the necessary steps to seek help,” Micallef said.

The report also highlights concrete steps to better align reporting channels and support services with community needs, including regular training and workshops, the need for ongoing community engagement to raise awareness of anti-racism legal rights and existing reporting and support services in Victoria, and increasing accountability for racist behaviour by strengthening legal protection and enforcement of existing legal frameworks.