More than eight in 10 (80 per cent of) ACT children and young people surveyed last year have witnessed racism and 44 per cent have experienced racism themselves, according to a report released today by the ACT Children and Young People Commissioner.  

Commissioner Jodie Griffiths-Cook said, “ACT children and young people are experiencing racism everywhere they go – at school, on public transport, playing sport, at the local shops, pool or skatepark, at work and on the street. 

“Releasing this report, It really stabs me: From resignation to resilience – children and young people’s experiences of racism in the ACT, on the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (21 March) recognises that while celebrating harmony is important, racism still occurs and must be addressed.

“Some children and young people told us they’re scared to walk alone because of racist taunts, that they get racially abused when playing sport, and that some schools do not take racism seriously.” 

The report presents the outcomes from in-depth group discussions with more than 140 children and young people and a survey responded to by 312 children and young people, part of a consultation conducted in partnership with Multicultural Hub Canberra and Curijo.  

The consultation also found that when children and young people report racism to adults, adults dismiss it, tell the child or young person to ignore it, or promise to follow up but from the child or young person’s perspective, seem to do nothing.  

“Many children and young people have a sophisticated understanding of racism. They want to talk to the adults in their lives about it, rather than being shut down,” Ms Griffiths-Cook said. 

“What we heard from children and young people can help combat racism in the ACT.”  

Ms Griffiths-Cook is calling on the ACT Government to develop community resources that enable adults to talk to children and young people about racism; and inform people about tackling racism.  

“ACT schools and sporting bodies should be required to develop comprehensive and age-appropriate anti-racism policies and procedures,” she said.

“It’s important that school staff, coaches, referees, and volunteers know how to identify racism and what steps to take when it occurs.   

“We must involve children and young people in these solutions. As one of the children told us, ‘We want adults to listen, and do something about [racism]’,” Ms Griffiths-Cook said.  

To make a complaint or to talk to the ACT Human Rights Commission, phone 02 6205 2222.