INTRODUCTION
The Barnsley Racial harassment Project was established in 1997, because of growing concerns about the increase in racist incidents across the Borough of Barnsley.
Following the introduction of the Crime & Disorder act 1998 the project was firmly embedded within the overall work of the Safer Communities Partnership.
The Multi- Agency Panel (MAP) is made up of both voluntary and statutory agencies with the specific objective, to reduce racial harassment and abuse.
In 2004 it was recognised nationally as one of the leading models of good practice in multi- agency working.
The Multi-Agency Panel operates on two levels:
Casework Conference Forum
Casework Conference Forum meets Monthly. The agencies represented are those who have or can have a direct bearing on dealing with either offenders or victims. This includes South Yorkshire Police.
The forum deals with individual caseload and decisions are made to take whatever action is deemed to be appropriate.
Multi- Agency Panel Development Group
The development group consists of voluntary and statutory agencies, including leaders of Minority Ethnic Organisations and associations. The group meet monthly, and its specific remit is to ensure actions and initiatives are monitored, evaluated and where necessary carried out with successful outcomes.
What is Racism?
There are many different forms of racism, racial harassment, racial attacks, institutional racism are just some of the forms that it can take.
The best and easiest way to decide if someone is racist is to consider the three Cs.
If someone is demeaning or derogatory to someones; Colour, Culture, or Country then it is deemed to be racist.
If someone is abused or threatened because of any of the above, then this is deemed to be racist, and if it continues then it becomes racial harassment.
Definition & Legislative Comment
It is incumbent on every institution to examine their policies and practices to guard against disadvantaging any section of our communities&there must be an unequivocal acceptance of the problem of institutional racism and its nature before it can be addressed
McPherson Report 1999.
Recommendation 12 of the Steven Lawrence inquiry stayed that the definition of a racist incident is:
Any incident which is perceived to be racist by the victim or any other person .
How do I report a racist incident?
If you are a parent You can download an information leaflet here explaining what to do in the event of you or your children suffering racist incidents
Other useful website/email links
Useful telephone numbers
Barnsley Multi- Agency Panel racial harassment coordinator 01226 774991
Barnsley Police H/Q 0114 2202020
Victim Support Barnsley 01226 243761
Safer Neighbourhood Teams- golden line numbers
Central 01226 736395
Darton & Dodworth 01226 736395
Cudworth 01226 736592
Goldthorpe 01709 832138
Hoyland 01226 736457
Wombwell 01226 736457
Kendray, Worsbrough 01226 736387
Penistone 01226 736387
Royston 01226 736361
NB: if it is an emergency dial 999.
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