Asian Australians’ experiences of racism during the COVID-19 pandemic

COVID

The COVID-19 pandemic resulted in widely reported incidents of racism and xenophobia targeting Asian communities all over the world, and Australia was no exception. On 8 April 2020, the Australian Race Discrimination Commissioner advocated for a national response to racism, which included a call for research on Asian Australians’ experiences of racism during the COVID-19 pandemic. This project responded to this urgent call.

Results from this project have been used by the Australian Human Rights Commission to develop their National Anti-Racism Framework Scoping Report (2022), have directly informed the Association of Independent Schools of NSW Community Cohesion Project including the development of online training modules for teachers on topics such as fostering intercultural understanding in the classroom, and informed the advocacy work of the Asian Australians Lawyers Association.

In addition to the full report and peer-reviewed publications, we have developed a summary of recommendations for government and non-government agencies that focuses on reporting mechanisms and system changes. We created a social media package and graphics for community organisations and individuals to use to help clarify what racism and racist incidents are, where to go for support, and resources for bystanders. We are committed to continuing to share the findings from our project. If you have ideas for what we might do, or would like one of our research team to write or talk about them with your organisation, please email challengingracism@westernsydney.edu.au.

Key Findings

1. Asian Australians’ experiences of racism during the COVID-19 pandemic were nationwide, with experiences of racism reported in all Australian states and territories and in metropolitan and non-metropolitan areas.

2. The demographic variations in experiencing racism remain consistent with the pre-COVID-19 context with males, younger age groups, Australian-born participants and migrant participants who have been in Australia for more than 2 years, and English speakers at home most likely to report an experience of racism in the COVID-19 context.

3. Experiences of racism decreased nationally during the COVID-19 pandemic (in comparison to the 12 months prior). The decrease in reported experiences of racism during the COVID-19 pandemic was more substantial in Victoria (10.5% in Victoria compared to 8% nationally).

Potential reasons for decreases in experiences of racism during the pandemic include: 1) COVID related restrictions on movements/access to public spaces (including lockdowns), which removed opportunities for racist offenders for an extended period of time; and 2) increased avoidance of Asian Australians due to discourses linking ‘Asians’ to COVID-19.

4. Asian Australians reported worryingly poor mental health and wellbeing during the pandemic. There were also consistent patterns that indicated those who experienced racism also report poorer mental health outcomes.

5.There was a relatively strong sense of belonging across the cohort, however, ‘non-belonging’ (such as not feeling Australian) was associated with experiences of racism during the COVID-19 pandemic.

6. Asian Australians are overwhelmingly not reporting incidents of racism. Lack of trust in statutory agencies and their response to racism reports was among the most relevant barriers experienced by respondents. Feelings of hopelessness, shame or disempowerment was another important barrier to reporting. Lack of knowledge of reporting tools and human rights was also another important barrier to reporting.

7. There is an urgent need to lift the reporting rates of racism to agencies, authorities and supervisors.

8. Racism during the COVID-19 pandemic has had a corrosive effect on social cohesion and harmony.

We presented these findings to community groups through workshops and forums. We asked them what they thought about them, what they thought needed to happen next, and how we could help.

Here’s what we heard:

There is a need for clarity around definitions of racism and racist incidents. What can and can’t be officially reported needs to be explicitly clear. Some contexts need particular attention, for instance, racism encountered online. Clarifying what racism is and what can be reported may improve reporting rates and help reduce incidents of racism.

Reporting mechanisms need improvement. Reporting tools need to be more easily and readily accessible. Community members told us that trust needs to be built in reporting tools and systems and that transparency and accountability in the reporting process may help to build this trust. Witnesses of racism also need support to understand their role in reporting incidents.

Targets of racism and the groups they belong to should not carry the burden of creating change. Instead, they need resources to support them, particularly given the worrying link between experiencing racism and poor mental health. Resources should be available to equip bystanders to take action safely.

Intergenerational conversations may be key. Talking to older members of target groups of racism may break down barriers in talking about and reporting racism.