Features / Bristol Charity Advent Calendar 2020
Bristol Charity Advent Calendar 2020, day 24: SARI
Stand Against Racism & Inequality (SARI) has been supporting victims of hate crime and discrimination for more than 20 years, providing practical and emotional support for those needing their help.
Tackling racist, faith-based, ableist, homophobic, transphobic, age-based and gender-based discrimination, SARI has had to respond quickly to the coronavirus pandemic.
“The circumstances associated with the impact of coronavirus can lead to increased tension, a rise in anti-social behaviour and hate crime, as leisure and social facilities are shut down and people are forced to stay home, facing illness, uncertainty, and loss of income,” says the SARI team. “We are also aware of the disproportionate outcomes some people are facing.”
is needed now More than ever
Keeping face-to-face meetings open for emergency situations only, the charity has adapted to the coronavirus outbreak, offering support and advice on the phone, email, Zoom and other virtual platforms.
With hate crime in Bristol increasing over the past year, SARI has been helping more families to cope with the emotional, physical and mental trauma it causes.
The Black Lives Matter movement has seen a rise in referrals of racially-motivated hate crime in the city and the impact of Covid-19 has made many suffering all forms of hate more vulnerable when they are targeted.
The rise of Black Lives Matter has seen a rise in racial hate crime in Bristol. Photo: Phil Riley
SARI has had more than 550 referrals this year so far and are getting on average three new referrals a day of racist, faith-based, ableist, gender-based and LGBTQ+-related hate crime.
Most of SARI’s support is through case work, helping people who have suffered hate crimes or discrimination. The charity offers emotional, physical and mental support, help through legal proceedings, referrals and complaint systems.
SARI also works in schools, leading assembles, classroom sessions, lecture and workshops, as well as offering training to staff and governors.
More widely in Bristol, the charity leads diversity and equality training and advice for dealing with hate incidents in workplaces and work with housing associations to foster safe neighbourhoods where the chances of hate crime are minimised.
The SARI team have been primarily working from home during the pandemic. Image: SARI
“It has been an unprecedented year for us, as it has for all voluntary organisations,” says SARI director Alex Raikes. “We have never felt so busy.
“We have been bowled over by the support we have got from those wanting to make a difference – doing fundraisers for us or donating.
“But at the same time we have had some brutal cases such as K-Dogg: the young African student run over in a racist hit-and-run when leaving his work at Southmead Hospital.
“Ultimately, what we really want is to make ourselves redundant as a crisis intervention charity – and as always, see an end to inequality.
“Maybe one day we can just focus on celebration of the amazing diversity Bristol boasts.”
Main photo of K-Dogg meeting HRH the Countess of Wessex (virtually), the Lord Lieutenant Peaches Golding OBE and other dignitaries with two of SARI’s donors, Felix and Manu: Alex Raikes/SARI
Read more: Two men arrested following racial attack on NHS worker
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