Nasc launches Stop the Silence Report and Stamp Out Racism Campaign

Tue, December 4, 2012

On 27th November 2012, Nasc launched our report, Stop the Silence: A Snapshot of Racism in Cork and our Stamp Out Racism poster campaign to a packed out audience in the Cork Vision Centre.

The event was opened by the Lord Mayor, Councillor John Buttimer and the report was launched by GAA legend Seán Óg Ó hAilpín.  Other speakers included Councillor Mick Barry, Community Garda Sergeant Trevor Laffan, Nasc Racist Reporting Officer Simon Prim and Irish Network Against Racism Co-ordinator Catherine Lynch.

Photo courtesy of Marcin Lewandowski

The report was compiled based on Nasc’s racist reporting mechanism, a third party mechanism designed to give victims and witnesses the opportunity to report a racist or racially motivated incident confidentially and to receive support in making an official report to An Garda Síochána if the incident is deemed to be a crime. As part of the research for the report, Nasc also conducted a ‘snapshot’ survey on racism in Cork which was used to get a sense for people’s attitudes to and experiences of racism in Cork.

The report makes several recommendations for a multi-faceted response to tackling racism, including training for Gardaí and the judiciary, changes in legislation and sentencing to address racially motivated crimes and funding for community initiatives to build awareness of racism and racist reporting.

In addition to launching the report, Nasc launched a new ‘Stamp Out Racism’ poster, leaflet and business card campaign. We also screened a short animation video ‘Enjoy Diversity’ which was designed and produced by a group of young people in Nasc in collaboration with Creative Designer Naomi Fein of Animation Space.

To download the report, click here.

To find out more about our Racist Reporting mechanism, click here.

Anyone who experiences or witnesses a racist incident can report this to us in complete confidence. We will then help you to determine whether an offence has been committed and should you decide to proceed, will assist in reporting the matter to the Gardaí. To make a report or for further information, please call us on 021-4317411, visit our Reporting Racism page or email reportracism@nascireland.org.

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