1. Race in the South West
3 July 2013
Race equality survey: ‘needs and gaps’
Summary
Brenda Weston
Policy and Research

2. Responses
• 55 Responses
• 13 higher tier council areas (6 didn’t say)
• 38 aware of race equality organisations
locally
– 32 involved in race equality orgs
– 9 not involved
– 14 didn’t say

3. Functions of existing
REOs
Lowest % of services/functions reportedly
provided by existing orgs ...
– Advocacy for victims of racial discrimination
– Challenging public bodies who are failing to fulfil their
legal obligations under equality legislation

4. Priority needs
Respondent identified priority needs (combined %
for top three)
• Protect and support BAME people against race-based hate crime and
incidents 81%
• Challenge public bodies who are failing to fulfil their legal obligations
under equality legislation 81%
• Help public bodies to consult with BAME people about services 79%
• Provide and advocacy for victims in racial discrimination claims 79%
• Campaign for and promote race equality 79%
• Carry out work related to issues affecting BAME communities on
behalf of funding organisations such as councils and NHS 74%

5. Other suggestions ...
• “Contribute to Community Cohesion”
• “Be involved in training and ensure equality is
engendered in all aspects of the organisation”
• “I think that support around race based incidents
and discrimination are crucial but sit with the
police, CAB and other bodies. The race equality
groups should work to ensure they are doing
this”

6. Involvement
Would like to be involved/more
involved...
In own area 70.0% (29)
As part of a regional network 60.0% (25)
Would like training to help with
involvement 53%
(18)

7. Training required
 Effective Communication
 Culture and beliefs
 Problems faced by migrant workers and best
way to resolve them.
 Discrimination as it relates to Labour Law.
 Race Equality Act, challenging statutory orgs,
 How to influence the local strategic agenda

8. Additional comments
• “...with the economic situation as it is to withdraw
funding from ... a specialist organisation with a
lot of experience is possibly storing up
problems.”
• “...After official interview to the press Migrant
communities were attacked on a weekly basis in
(town) and surrounding area. 98% cases
reported to police of hate crime were closed
after one interview with victim.