Racist Bullying is a term used to describe prejudicial bullying based on someone's race on ethnicity or someone's perceived race or ethnicity.
The NSPCC report ‘Protecting Children from Racism and Racist Abuse' highlights a number of key points:
- Children from ethnic minorities are more likely to experience bullying than their white counterparts
- Although research evidence is limited, what is available does imply that racial bullying frequently involves the use of violence
- The impact of racist bullying can go far beyond the individual person. This bullying can impact their family and others perceived to be from the same or similar group
Children and young people from minority ethnic groups often experience bullying based on the perceived differences in dress, communication, appearance, beliefs and/or culture. The status of ‘minority' in a school, community or organisation can often mark a child or young person as a target for those involved in bullying behaviour. This can stem from a misguided and/or learned belief that they ‘deserve' to be treated differently or with less respect.
Media and cultural influences can also affect the ‘status' of minority ethnic communities within a school, community or organisation and trends in bullying incidents may reflect this. It may not just be the colour of someone's skin that provokes racist bullying, country of origin and culture may also be a factor - children and young people from Gypsy and Travelling communities report racial bullying, for example. It is vital, when thinking about this demographic, to consider gypsy traveller children and young people. These children and young people report a very high level of racist bullying. ‘Having Our Say', a peer research project with young Gypsy/Travellers in Scotland 2005, found that 92% of these young people said they had been picked on because they were Gypsy/Travellers.
Racist bullying can take a variety of forms. Verbal abuse includes name calling, offensive mimicry of accent and/or pretending not to understand what is said. Mockery and mimicry may extend to dress, religious observance, diet and country of origin or perceived country of origin. Non-direct bullying may include graffiti, vandalism of property, flaunting of racist badges, slogans, leaflets etc.
Schools and other organisations have a duty under the Race Relations (Amendment) Act (2000) to promote racial equality. The general duty as is set out in Section 71(1) says that organisations must have ‘due regard to the need':
- To eliminate unlawful racial discrimination; and
- To promote equality of opportunity and good relations between persons of different racial groups
It is vital to note that the duty here is obligatory. Racial bullying that goes unchecked can potentially escalate in to a racial offence. Parents should expect a satisfactory outcome from the organisation or, where appropriate, the Local Authority, in relation to the Race Relations Act and anti-bullying policies and may also seek to involve the police.
Barriers to telling that bullying is taking place:
- A desire to ‘fit in' and prevent drawing further attention to themselves
- A lack of understanding about when racist bullying becomes a racial offence
- A concern that they will not be listened to or believed (especially where institutional racism is perceived to be present)
- A concern about causing further worry to family members who may also be affected by racist incidents in the community
- A lack of trust in authority figures
- Cultural differences that may inhibit asking for support with difficult circumstances and/or reluctance to look for others to become involved
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