10/10/2006
New initiative launched to target racist attacks
A new initiative to help victims racist attacks has been launched in Northern Ireland.
The community referral scheme is being piloted in Newtownabbey for those who have suffered a result of racism.
Victims of racist incidents will initially speak to a Police Minority Liaison Officer before being referred to a Community Relations Forum worker.
The community worker will visit victims to provide support, assess their needs, act as a link with statutory organisations and put victims in contact with local support groups.
Newtownabbey District Commander Superintendent Will Kerr feels that the initiative will ensure that victims of racist incidents will get the best possible service from police and the whole community.
Kerr commented: "Police take racist incidents very seriously and are firmly committed to carrying out thorough investigations into all reported incidents."
Kathy Wolff, Community Relations Forum co-ordinator for Newtonabbey commented: "The whole communinty has to take responsibility for racist incidents and supporting victims. Through this scheme we know who the victims are and are then able to offer them our full support."
Kerr revealed that there have been between 17 and 26 racist incidents from April to September this year.
(DS)
The community referral scheme is being piloted in Newtownabbey for those who have suffered a result of racism.
Victims of racist incidents will initially speak to a Police Minority Liaison Officer before being referred to a Community Relations Forum worker.
The community worker will visit victims to provide support, assess their needs, act as a link with statutory organisations and put victims in contact with local support groups.
Newtownabbey District Commander Superintendent Will Kerr feels that the initiative will ensure that victims of racist incidents will get the best possible service from police and the whole community.
Kerr commented: "Police take racist incidents very seriously and are firmly committed to carrying out thorough investigations into all reported incidents."
Kathy Wolff, Community Relations Forum co-ordinator for Newtonabbey commented: "The whole communinty has to take responsibility for racist incidents and supporting victims. Through this scheme we know who the victims are and are then able to offer them our full support."
Kerr revealed that there have been between 17 and 26 racist incidents from April to September this year.
(DS)
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