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FeaturesYou are in: Suffolk > Community > Features > Fresh support for travellers Betty has lived on the site for 14 years Fresh support for travellersGypsies and travellers in Suffolk are being encouraged to report incidents of racism to a new centre in Ipswich. Based at the West Meadows Gypsy and Traveller site, trained staff will listen to reports of racism or discrimination and identify the organisations who can provide help. The initiative follows research which shows that many racist incidents go unreported, and therefore cannot be clamped down on. "Research shows that for every racist incident that's reported, 16 go unreported," said Councillor Joanna Spicer, Suffolk County Council's portfolio holder for public protection. The West Meadows site "This is something that's unacceptable, and which Suffolk County Council is committed to changing." Betty Lee has lived on the site for 14 years and, having experienced discrimination, is pleased the centre has been introduced: "I do believe that this is going to do a lot of good," she says. "It's lovely to see that people are taking an interest because sometimes it's very frightening for someone like me, who has grandchildren, to know what is going to happen in the future. "We're all God's children, whether we're black, white or whoever we are. The Lord says in his words 'little children, love each other as I love you'. But I find that isn't the case." Around 100 people live on the West Meadows site, on the west side of Ipswich near the A14. Similar reporting centres have already been set up in 14 Citizens Advice Bureaus across Suffolk. Betty hopes actions such as this will lead to a reduction in the number of discriminatory incidents towards travellers: "There's been a lot of lies and letters wrote to the internet - no one wants the gypsies," she adds. "I get up early some mornings and pick the litter up and see people passing - who've got hatred against the gypsies. They get a carrier bag of rubbish and empty it out at the gate." Councillor Spicer is keen to stress the importance of reporting incidents, and hopes the new centre will help overcome some of the fears which exist: "I know that it can be difficult to come forward and report a racist incident, or any form of harassment," she says. "By opening this centre at West Meadows, we hope that we can build the trust of the gypsy and traveller community, and encourage them to help us stamp our racism in the county." Tune in to 大象传媒 Radio Suffolk's weekly programme for travellers. 'Rokker Radio' is broadcast every Sunday between 7pm and 9pm. More information can be found using the link on the right >> last updated: 11/04/2008 at 12:42 Have Your Say
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