Community Safety Partnership

Race Equality - Awareness Campaign

Each person has a responsibility to work towards race equality and the elimination of discriminatory attitudes in their working environment and in the services they provide.

To achieve the core commitments set out in the race equality policy South Ayrshire Council will work through all its departments and:-

develop a clear Race Equality Action Plan including procedures as outlined in the Commission for Racial Equality Codes of Practice
work in partnership with voluntary and statutory groups, community groups and local businesses to achieve racial equality
develop work through the Council’s Community Safety Partnership to promote race equality and eliminate racial harassment and discrimination in our communities
tackle racial discrimination and racial harassment wherever these occur
identify and develop good practice within the race equality field, particularly in terms of service delivery

There are different forms of Racism and Discrimination:

Personal Racism has a negative impact on individuals and is usually overt because it is visible, identifiable and often intentional on the part of the perpetrator.

Cultural Racism consists of values, beliefs and ideas, usually embedded in history, which endorse the superiority of one culture over others.

Institutional Racism operates in institutions or organisations where racist beliefs and perceptions have become embedded in the culture, policies, procedures and practices and results in black and minority ethnic groups being excluded or oppressed in terms of employment opportunities or service provision.

Direct discrimination occurs when a person is treated less favourably on racial grounds than others are, or would be, treated in the same or similar circumstances. It includes segregation of persons on racial grounds.

Indirect discrimination occurs when a condition or requirement which is applied equally to everyone can be met by a considerably smaller portion of people from a particular racial group, and it is to their disadvantage because they cannot comply with it. The condition or requirement will be unlawful unless it can be justified on non-racial grounds.

If you are thinking of bringing a case of racial discrimination you can apply to the Commission for Racial Equality, or to one of a number of other organisations such as trade unions, racial equality councils, law centres, citizens advice bureaux and other advice agencies, for help