Cottone (2004) found that experiences of racism erode the possibility of enjoying safety, and create an environment of mistrust and fear for the affected young people.

Dunn et al  have found in a study in 2001 across Queensland and New South Wales, that signicant numbers of people still experience racism at work, in educational settings, sporting events and places like supermarkets.

If you recognise any of the above-listed behaviours affecting the young people in your community, it is a reason for you to act. Conscious or unconscious, structural or personal, racism is not acceptable and requires positive strategies of action.

How to address racism in your workplace and in your community

First Steps can include:

• Recognise and admit racism exists  
• Document incidents
• Conduct a survey of those you work with including those who access your service
• Involve community members in action groups to develop locally suitable strategies

Next, decide on courses of action bearing in mind that different groups of young people will need different strategies.

Suggestions include:

• Creating an anti-racism team
• Contact your local LAMP worker (if you have one in your region) to work with you
• Raise incidences at staff meetings for understanding and to develop actions
• Invite older people of diverse cultural backgrounds to talk with young people – explain their life experiences, share cultural knowledge, and describe their struggles in both their source country and on arrival in Australia
• Young people role play on racist incidents (remember to debrief afterwards) 
• Produce resources such as posters, t-shirts, badges
• Conducting cross-cultural awareness training