A racist incident is any incident, which is perceived to be racist by the victim or by any other person.’

Racial harassment is a breach of human rights as it involves subjecting a person to inhuman or degrading treatment. The Racial Harassment support, advice and advocacy project is a free of charge service that assists victims of any racial harassment incident to the best of our ability. The impact of a racial incident is different for every individual. We use a client-centred approach that seeks to empower the person. We aim to treat everyone with respect and promote equality and cultural diversity. We operate throughout the whole of Northern Ireland and accept referrals from all organisations and individuals (including self-referral).

A racist incident can happen anywhere at anytime. Any experience where it is felt that racism aggravated the person’s experience of what has happened is categorized as a racial incident.

NICEM’s Racial Harassment project uses a multi-agency approach to provide the best support and advice possible, some of the organisations we work with are: all our member groups, Citizen’s Advice Bureau, Community Safety Policy Unit, Equality Commission for Northern Ireland, Northern Ireland Housing Executive, Northern Ireland Human Rights Commission, Police Service of Northern Ireland and Victim Support to name just a few.
If you are being harassed it is very important that you talk about it and get support. The support we offer includes providing a safe and confidential environment for you to share your experiences. We will help you explore your options and support you in your decisions. We will help you in reporting and liasing with the police and preparing statements. We assist in making applications to the Housing Executive and continue helping you throughout the whole process. We will work with local community organisations or public sector bodies to tackle issues of harassment or discrimination. We will help you through mediation or conciliation and support you in restorative justice schemes. We will also help with criminal injuries compensation

NICEM has been sub-contracted by the Refugee Council (UK) to provide a service, including advice and support, to destitute Asylum Seekers while they apply for assistance through the new NASS (National Asylum Support Service) provisions.
This is a free, confidential service and interpreters will be arranged as required.

Where a client seems likely to be eligible, they are assisted in the application process. Emergency full-board accommodation can be arranged where an Asylum Seeker has no other resources to draw on.
Other support includes assisting clients to access medical services, referral to legal representation, information about educational opportunities, and referral to external agencies for clothing, equipment, etc.

Who Can Get Assistance?

Not all Asylum Seekers are eligible for support from NAAS. The main criteria are that applicants:
have, or intend to apply for, Political Asylum
be over 18 or part of a family group
not have received a positive decision on their Asylum application
be destitute and not eligible for any other supports, e.g. Social Services or the Benefits Agency.

The service makes an initial assessment to ensure the client is likely to be eligible for support under these provisions, referring on to other agencies when necessary.

How To Get Assistance

NICEM is happy to accept referrals from any source, including:
Direct self-referral
Via family or friends
Member Groups
Independent Advice Centres
Citizens Advice Bureaux
Community and Voluntary Based Organisations
Health & Social Services Departments
Private Practice Solicitors
Homeless Advice Agencies

Type of Work Covered by the Service

Initial assessment
Discussion of support options
Briefing clients on the NASS process and time scales involved
Assessment of urgent needs, e.g. clothing, medical
Applying for NASS support
Arrangement of emergency full-board accommodation
Liasing with NASS regarding progress of application
Referral to legal representation for asylum applications
Advice, assistance and support while a client is waiting for a NASS decision
One Stop Service for Non-Nass clients, referring to Social Services and other appropriate agencies
Referral and registration with GPs and dentists
Arranging English language classes
Arranging access to community groups
Refugee resettlement and integration

Tel: 028 90 242025 (24 hours emergency enquires only)