Racism victims in South West forced to seek their own justice after REC cuts

Victims of racism in the South West will increasingly have to seek their own justice because of cuts to the region's race equality councils, Equality South West has warned.

Despite there being more than 2,600 race hate crimes reported in the South West in 2012, local authorities are withdrawing funding from race equality councils, forcing them to survive on a shoestring budget or, in some cases, close altogether. The cuts mean the RECs are no longer able to adequately provide advice and support to victims of racial attacks, abuse and harassment.

Brenda Weston from ESW said: "The situation is grim for people from black, minority and ethnic communities facing day-to-day racism and discrimination in the South West. These cuts leave them more isolated and vulnerable because, in many places, there is nowhere else for them to turn for the support they need."

ESW is carrying out a survey of individuals and organisations involved in promoting race equality in the South West, and is in June hosting a round table discussion to build a case to take to policy makers across the region. In July, ESW will host an event to look at the impact of government cuts to BME people in the region.

Brenda Weston said: "The government said equality was at the heart of everything it does but, twenty years since Stephen Lawrence was murdered, it's actually regressing on race issues. As a society, we should be supporting and helping victims of abuse, not leaving them to fend for themselves.

"The government is slashing by 70% the budget for the Equality and Human Rights Commission – a move that sends out a very clear signal that equality is not a priority for them."