VOICE

Safer communities

VOICE

Safer communities

Our members advocate for access to practical and emotional support for victims of hate and other crime that takes into account the reasons why many in their community prefer not to involve the police in their lives. Too many suffer in silence and often live in fear of repeat victimisation.

Members use their voice to work for change both in the agencies that protect and support victims of crime and within the refugee and asylum seeker community itself.

Here are some examples of their work.

Taking our voice to criminal justice agencies

Our members have worked with police, the Crown Prosecution Service, victim support agencies and community safety teams to raise awareness of past experiences and current fears that deter many asylum seekers and refugees from engaging with the police. They advocate for effective 3^rd party reporting pathways and a victim focused approach.

Contributing our voice at regional platforms and consultations

Our members contribute key messages and recommendations to consultations and speak up at influential platforms, including the national Hate Crime Inquiry, the Crown Prosecution Services’ Policy on Racially and Religiously Aggravated Hate Crime, Cleveland Police’s Equality, Diversity and Human Rights Strategy, Local Authority Hate Crime Strategies and Action Plans, Hate Crime Awareness Week, and the North East Regional Race Crime & Justice Research Network.

Sara and Gaby promote a victim focused response to hate during National Hate Crime Awareness Week

Building a call to action and sharing key messages with the refugee and asylum seeking community

Members have used their voice to build knowledge and confidence within the communities they support. They encourage their communities to take action on hate rather than suffer in silence. They explain that doing nothing does not stop it happening again or to others, and urge that taking action will make a difference for all. Watch our film aimed at our members’ communities.

Merwa and Elvis during filming of our ‘Take Action on Hate’ videos. They interviewed victim support agencies, Police & Crime Commissioners, neighbourhood police and Local Authority Community Safety reps to explore the roles they play in tackling hate and map out how RCOs can encourage their communities to take action and connect them to support.

Gaby introduces the Neighbourhood Police team to his community. An example of how our members broker links between communities and neighbourhood police, victim support agencies and local authority community safety teams.

Members with the Police & Crime Commissioner for Cleveland after completing a Community Champions training session we designed with the Victim Care & Advice Service and Cleveland Police.

Members created a video guide in 10 languages to ‘Life & Laws in the UK’. They hope it helps newly arriving refugees and asylum seekers understand more about the role and powers of the police in the UK and how to get support from them. Click here for links to all language versions.

Merwa and Elvis filming our ‘Take Action on Hate’ videos. They interviewed victim support agencies, Police & Crime Commissioners, neighbourhood police and Local Authority Community Safety reps to explore the roles they play in tackling hate and how RCOs can encourage their communities to take action

Gaby introduces the Neighbourhood Police team to his community. An example of how we brokered links between RCOs and neighbourhood police, victim support agencies and local authority community safety teams

Members with the Police & Crime Commissioner for Cleveland after taking part in Community Champions training designed by us with the Victim Care & Advice Service and Cleveland Police.

Members created a video guide in 11 languages on ‘Life & Laws in the UK’ to help newly arriving refugees and asylum seekers understand more about the role and powers of the police in the UK and how to get support from them. Click here for links to all language versions

Our Voice

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How we develop the collective voice

Our diverse membership works together to build their authentic, collective advocate voice on issues they prioritise.

Click here to find out how

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Economic inclusion of refugees

Our members know too many refugees remain unemployed or they become underemployed in low paid insecure jobs that don’t match the skills, qualifications, experiences and ambition they bring with them to the UK.

Click here to find out how they have been using their collective voice for change..

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Asylum policy and support

Our members advocate for policy and practice that recognises why people need sanctuary, respects the rights of asylum seekers and refugees, provides humane and appropriate support, allows the dignity of work, removes the risk of destitution at move on and provides equivalent support for those recognised as refugees whatever route they arrived into the UK.

Click here to find out more

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Safer communities

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Improved Health and Wellbeing

Our members advocate for policy and practice that will enable refugees and asylum seekers to look after their health and wellbeing. The RAS community faces specific challenges including forced inactivity, changed diet, traumatic experiences and constant anxiety. In particular, our members advocate for action to prevent the deterioration of mental health after arrival in the UK.

Click here to find out more

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Stronger and more resilient families

Our members are concerned about the number of families falling apart after arrival in the region, and the number of children being taken into care. They advocate for timely access to guidance on Parenting in the UK and for safeguarding and family support services to take whole family approaches that recognise the different challenges facing each family member.

Click here to find out more