Using a roadmap developed for Wyndham, local governments across the country will be able to improve reporting and support services for people who have experienced racism.
Victoria University this week launched a new report, outlining the steps local councils and service providers can take to work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and multicultural and multifaith residents to address racism in the community.
The project was piloted by Wyndham Council and birthed the Wyndham roadmap, which explores how people in the municipality experienced racism, how they use and perceive available support and reporting services and how they can be bettered and made more accessible.
Drawing on the findings of the Wyndham project, VU researchers worked with Welcoming Cities, a national network of towns and cities committed to creating a sense of belonging within communities, to develop a practical guide that can assist other local governments to implement similar programs.
The guide outlines a six-step process, including understanding an area’s community demographic profile, engaging with local service providers and community based organisations and analysing the experiences and support needs of those affected by racism.
VU’s Chief Investigator Dr Mario Peucker said the pilot study found that a support system tailored to the needs of local communities members can “break the often-silencing
effects of racism and empower people to speak about their experiences and get the support they deserve”.
“The only way this could be achieved is with a strong place-based approach and genuine dedication to centring the voices of local communities. We hope this new resource will encourage other local governments to provide responsive and accessible support to residents affected by racism.”
The project led to the establishment of the Wyndham Anti-Racism Support Network, which provides residents with a community based online racism reporting tool, a list of appropriate referral agencies and information sharing.
