What is ARCH?

ARCH is a partnership of organisations working together to combat racist crime in Sunderland.  Victims or witnesses of racist incidents can report an incident to any of the partner agencies or call the free telephone number.  If they wish, victims can then be referred for support and action can be taken against perpetrators.  ARCH uses a web based system to record and monitor racist incidents, meaning that all the agencies that are involved with a particular case have an easy way to keep in touch and updated.

What is a racist incident?

All agencies in the ARCH partnership have adopted the definition of a racist incident as "Any incident which is perceived to be racist by the victim or any other person".  This definition comes from one of the recommendations of the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry report also known as the MacPherson Report.  A racist incident can take many forms, it may be physical violence or threatening behaviour; attacks on property or arson; verbal racist abuse, racist graffiti, malicious communications or threatening phone calls.  This list is not exhaustive.

Why is it important to report racist incidents?

It is really important to report racist incidents.  Reporting means that you have an option to get advice and support from relevant agencies.  It also means that agencies can take action against perpetrators to try and stop the incident happening again or happening to other people.  If no one knows that incidents are occurring then it means that agencies do not know what or where there are problems.  If people report incidents to ARCH then it means that more resources can be targeted in particular areas or at particular times of the day when a high number of racist incidents occur.  For example provide anti-racism work in schools or provide more police patrols.

How do I report a racist incident to ARCH?

There are two ways you can report an incident to ARCH.  You can call the free telephone number 08000 778 378.  This will be answered 24 hours a day and you can ask for an interpreter if you need one.  Or you can walk into a reporting centre: these are any of the Council's Customer Services Centres; City of Sunderland College; University of Sunderland; any Police Station; any Gentoo Housing Office; North of England Refugee Service; Young Asian Voices; Victim Support; Safe Partnership Limited; Sunderland Bangladeshi Community Centre; Home Housing and Sunderland Royal Hospital.  All the agencies in the partnership can take details of racist incidents and help you get some support if you want some.

What if I don't want to give my personal details to ARCH?

You don't need to give your personal details to ARCH so you can stay anonymous.  It is up to you how many details you give to ARCH but if you want some support from the partner agencies, then you will need to give some contact details so that the agency that you want support off can contact you.  All details given to ARCH remain confidential and will only be given to an agency if you say that they can.

What if I change my mind later and I do want some support?

When you report an incident to ARCH you will be given a unique reference number.  If you decide that you want some support you can either ring the free telephone number or visit a reporting centre and give them the reference number.  The person who are speaking to with then ask you which agency you would like some support from, you can choose more than one agency.  They will then ask how you would like to be contacted and a person from the agency you would like help from will contact you in that way.

What if I see a racist incident in the street and I don't know the people involved?

You can still report the incident to ARCH and give as many details about the incident as possible.  This means that the incident will be included in reports about the number of racist incidents in Sunderland and therefore could mean that more resources are given to particular areas.

Do I have to tell the police about the incident?

When you report an incident to ARCH you will be asked if you would like the incident to be referred to the police.  You do not have to refer the incident to the police.  If you do want the incident referred to the police there are 2 options.  The first is for information only - this means the police would not be sent any of your personal details, but they would be sent details of the date, time and place of the incident.  The second option is for full investigation - this means that the police will be given all the information that you have given to ARCH and they will contact you so they can arrange to take a statement from you and begin criminal investigations.

Who will see the information that I tell ARCH?

It is up to the victim to decide which agencies will see their information.  If the victim wants some support or some action taken against a perpetrator then personal details will be sent to the agencies the victim wants help from.  If they do not want any support from other agencies or no action taken against a perpetrator, then the personal details given will not be passed on to any other agency.   

How can I find out what is happening to an incident I reported?

When you report an incident to ARCH you will be given a unique reference number.  If you give this number to one of the partner agency workers they will be able to find your incident on the system and look at the case file page.  They will then be able to tell you about any actions that an agency has put onto the system.

What if the same thing happens again?

If the same thing happens again then it is important to report this to ARCH.  When you ring or visit a reporting centre tell the person you are speaking to that you have reported an incident to ARCH before.  They will ask you for your unique reference number and they will report the incident as a repeat incident.  Don't worry of you have forgotten your reference number because the incidents can be linked afterwards.  You can then decide which agencies you want help from.

How will ARCH make sure that the partner agencies are working together?

All the agencies in the ARCH partnership have signed a Service Level Agreement which lists the support they can offer to victims of racist incidents and/or the action they can take against perpetrators.  Every 2 months representatives from all the partner agencies will have a meeting to discuss issues that have come up in using the ARCH system and also make sure that all the agencies are doing

What do I do if I am not happy with the support I am given?

If you are not happy with the support you have been given then you can speak to the agency you are not happy with and ask them how to complain.  All the agencies in the ARCH partnership have their own complaints procedure to follow.  You can also email your complaint to sunderlandarch@sunderland.gov.uk or call the Diversity and Inclusion Team (who coordinate the ARCH project) on 0191 553 2480.  Your complaint will be looked in to.

Can I report an incident that is not racially motivated?

No, not at the moment.  However ARCH is hoping to broaden its aims to include the reporting of other forms of hate crime such as homophobic and disability incidents.  ARCH is also hoping to work with schools to look at bullying.

If you have any questions about ARCH please telephone 0191 553 2480 or email sunderlandarch@sunderland.gov.uk