Building Respect: Whittlesea Anti-racism Strategy

Our local First Nations and culturally diverse communities make many valuable contributions to our local community and economy.

Unfortunately, discrimination on the basis of race, religion, culture or ethnicity is a common occurrence for many members of our community.

Findings from our recent racism research

Recent research we conducted in partnership with Melbourne University and VicHealth found:

  • 97% of those surveyed from Victorian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities had experienced racism in the previous 12 months and more than 70% per cent had experienced eight or more racist incidents
  • almost two in three people surveyed from our culturally and linguistically diverse communities (CALD) had experienced racism in the previous 12 months, with 40% experiencing six or more incidents
  • most Victorians (95%) believe it's important that people from different racial or ethnic backgrounds are treated fairly
  • 84% of people surveyed across the City of Whittlesea agreed that something should be done to reduce discrimination experienced by people from racial or ethnic minority groups in Australia.


In response to this we have developed a strategy that will guide us in:

  • raising awareness and understanding
  • creating places free from racism
  • building a workplace environment that is fair, welcoming and inclusive and free from racism.

Download our anti-racism strategy

Anti-racism strategy - accessible Word format(DOCX, 2MB)

Anti-racism strategy(PDF, 2MB)

Anti-racism strategy - accessible PDF(PDF, 2MB)

Report racism

Reducing racism is a Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission project to make it easier for communities to report racism and exercise their rights. 

In partnership with Code for Australia, the Commission has developed a community reporting tool as an alternative to launching a formal complaint. The community reporting tool enables community members to make short, confidential reports directly to the Commission.

Find out more about the Reducing racism project

Get help in your language

The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission provides useful information in a range of languages. 


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