Black Africans the main victims of racist incidents

Black Africans are the main target for racism with a new report showing Dublin and Limerick have the highest number of incidents of alleged racism.

The first quarterly study issued by iReport.ie — a site which seeks to log all reports of racism made to it in confidence — shows the highest number of reported incidents of racism took place in the afternoon, and then after 9pm.

Taken from July to September, the report, launched today, shows black people of African origin were the most targeted group, with 23 complainants. The next most targeted group were Asian people not from China.

A total of 97 incidents were reported to iReport during the three months, while 11 were received by associated groups. It was claimed that 55 incidents occurred within the period.

The data shows more than two thirds of victims of racism are aged in two categories — between 25 and 35, who were the victims in 35% of all reported cases of racism, and 35 to 55, who reported 34% of cases.

Children under the age of 14 accounted for 9% of all cases reported.

Most incidents (48) involved shouting or the use of strong language, and then harassment (29), but eight cases were alleged to have involved physical assault, six cases involving spitting, and another six cases featuring online bullying.

A total of 33 incidents were logged in north Dublin, with 16 logged in south Dublin.

The Limerick area accounted for 12 reported incidents — contrasting with just four in Cork, the same number in Galway, and just three in Waterford.

The threat of physical violence was a factor in 50 cases. More than half of all reported cases involved individual perpetrators, but almost a quarter of cases involved between two and four people. Less than a fifth of incidents were reported to gardaí and fewer than a third were reported to any state organisation.

The analysis shows women are less likely to be the victim of a physical assault but are every bit as likely to be physically threatened.

It also highlights relative under-reporting by victims, with more cases being reported by people who witnessed a racist incident rather than the victim or a connected family member.