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ICV Islamophobia Support Service

Islamophobia Support is a free community service dedicated to providing holistic support to the wider Victorian Muslim community who have been impacted by Islamophobia. We are committed to providing individualised support that addresses the unique needs and challenges faced by the community as our mission is driven by the theory of change and outcomes framework. We focus on providing individual support, developing opportunities for education and empowerment, and strengthen collaboration with organisations and communities to improve support available for Victorian Muslims.

HOW WE HELP

 

Information about our community service, how it works, who we partner with, and how to connect with us.

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WHO WE ARE

Islamophobia Support is a free community service delivered by the Islamic Council of Victoria.

 

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Islamophobia Support is a support and advocacy service available to Victorian individuals and communities who have experienced Islamophobia. Islamophobia Support aims to play 4 roles in Victoria.

 

1. Individual Support

We provide holistic care to individuals who have experienced or witnessed Islamophobia in Victoria. We focus on understanding the specific needs of each person we help and aim to offer appropriate information, advice, referrals and ongoing care.

 

2. Collaborating with Services and Organisations

We understand that there are lots of different services and organisations available that may be able to provide support in response to Islamophobia. We are connected with human rights organisations, policing services, mental health services, legal services and community services.

See our list of partners HERE.

See our list of mental health services HERE, as well as our legal services HERE.

 

3. Engaging and Empowering

We provide education and resources to individuals, communities, organisations and services across Victoria. This focuses on building understanding about Islamophobia, why support and reporting is important, and how we can provide care to individuals.

See our community sources HERE.

 

4. Reporting and Advocacy

We aim to use our learnings and the information we collect to advocate for the rights of Victorian Muslims. It’s really important for Islamophobia Support to understand what is happening in Victoria, and how communities can best be supported.

See our research and reports on Islamophobia HERE.

See our position statement HERE.

 

How to connect with Islamophobia Support?

You can report Islamophobia HERE.

You can contact Islamophobia Support directly HERE.

 

 

HOW IT WORKS

Our service is focused on supporting the specific needs of each person we help.

 

At the Islamophobia Support service, we are often asked:

  • How can you help?
  • How does your service work?
  • What does individual support look like?
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To respond to this, we have developed 4 experiences that happened in our community.

Each de-identified experience has been developed with consent and input from the person involved.

 

Iman’s Story

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Leilah’s Story

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Ahmed’s Story

icv_outcome03_full

 

 

Omar’s Story

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Islamophobia can be explained and understood in many ways.

We understand that Islamophobia is experienced, defined and measured differently by individuals, communities, academics and other services and organisations.

 

At Islamophobia Support, we understand Islamophobia as anti-Muslim racism. We understand that sometimes anti-Muslim racism may motivate words, behaviours and actions. We refer to these words, behaviours and actions as Islamophobic incidents.

 

We know that Islamophobic incidents are different for everyone. Our role at Islamophobia Support is not to evaluate if you have or haven’t experienced Islamophobia. Instead, we aim to provide support in response to Islamophobic incidents. Our role is to listen to your unique experience and needs, to help find appropriate support for you.

 

What is Islamophobia-grid-1

 

Other services and organisations may understand Islamophobic incidents using different language and examples. You will find some examples of these different ways below.

 

Prejudice Motivated Crime

Has someone (or a group of people) committed a crime towards you that is motivated by prejudice or hatred because you’re a Muslim? This may be a prejudice motivated crime.

Example: A person vandalises a mosque and spray paints the words “All Muslims are terrorists.”

In the context of Islamophobia, a prejudice motivated crime can occur when a crime is “motivated by prejudice or hatred towards a person or a group because of a particular characteristic” including characteristics such as religion or race.

 

Direct Discrimination

Has someone (or a group of people) treated you differently or unfairly because you’re a Muslim? This may be direct discrimination.

Example: A Muslim woman who is in hijab dress applies for a client-facing role for which she is very qualified. She doesn’t get the job and is told that hijab doesn’t comply with their dress codes for those directly engaging with clients.

In the context of Islamophobia, direct discrimination can occur “when a person or a group of people, is treated less favourably than another person or group” because of their affiliation to Islam.

 

Indirect Discrimination

Has someone (or a group of people) imposed an unreasonable condition that negatively affects you because you’re a Muslim? This may be indirect discrimination.

Example: A new workplace policy indicates fixed 15-minute break times. This policy unfairly affects the Muslims in the workplace who choose to pray during the day.

In the context of Islamophobia, indirect discrimination can occur “when an unreasonable condition is imposed that disadvantages” a person or group of people because of their affiliation to Islam.

 

Harassment

Has someone (or a group of people) offended, insulted, humiliated or intimidated you because you’re a Muslim? This may be harassment.

Example: Abdul is on the train and a woman yells at him: “You are a terrorist and should go back to where you came from”.

In the context of Islamophobia, harassment can be behaviour that “offends, insults, humiliates or intimidates a person or group” in relation to their affiliation to Islam.

 

Vilification

Has someone (or a group of people) behaved in in a way that has encouraged hatred, contempt, revulsion or ridicule towards you because you’re a Muslim? This may be vilification.

Example: A website publishes material that encourages others to express hatred towards Muslims.

In the context of Islamophobia, vilification may be “behaviour that incites hatred, serious contempt for, or revulsion or severe ridicule of a person or group of people” based on their affiliation to Islam.

 

Violence

Has someone (or a group of people) intimidated, threatened or been violent towards either you, an organisation or property because you’re a Muslim? This may be violence.

Example: A man ripped off Susan’s hijab while she was on the train home.

In the context of Islamophobia, violence can be “acts of violence or intimidation” directed at a person, group of people, organisation or property based on their affiliation to Islam.

 

References

Learn more about prejudice motivated crime here

Learn more about direct discrimination here

Learn more about indirect discrimination here

Learn more about harassment here

Learn more about vilification here

Learn more about violence here

OUR PARTNERS

Islamophobia Support works closely with other services and organisations

Islamophobia Support understands the importance of collaboration when responding to Islamophobic incidents in Victoria. We value our partnerships and the important role they play in supporting individuals and communities in Victoria. Each of our partners are committed to improving the ways Islamophobia can be reported and responded to.


VICTORIAN EQUAL OPPORTUNITY AND HUMAN RIGHTS COMMISSION

The Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission (VEOHRC) is an independent statutory body, dedicated to the promotion and protection of human rights in Victoria. VEOHRC is responsible to 3 different laws, including the Racial and Religious Tolerance Act, Equal Opportunity Act and Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities. VEOHRC receive enquiries and complaints about discrimination, sexual harassment, racial and religious vilification, and victimisation. They can respond with dispute resolution (including conciliation) and referrals.

Islamophobia Support works with the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission to:

  • Provide information and advice to individuals and communities about submitting a religious discrimination or religious vilification complaint to VEOHRC
  • Provide support to individuals who want to submit a complaint (Islamophobia Support may be able to submit a complaint as a representative body)
  • Act as a support body or representative body throughout dispute resolution, which can involve support through conciliation
  • Receive referrals from VEOHRC for religious discrimination or religious vilification enquiries or complaints, to provide individuals with support and care

VICTORIA POLICE

It is the role of Victoria Police to serve Victorian communities and uphold laws to promote a safe and secure society. Victoria Police are committed to reducing victimisation and improving their service delivery. Victoria Police understand that victims need to be treated with sensitivity, fairness, empathy, dignity and respect. Victoria Police also recognise that victims should be provided with information tailored to their needs and that collaboration can be important for enhancing victim services. When Islamophobic incidents or offences are reported to Victoria Police, the officer may assess and record prejudice motivation (a prejudice motivated crime or prejudice motivated incident).

Islamophobia Support works with Victoria Police to:

  • Assist with and improve the recording of prejudice motivation when Islamophobic incidents or crimes are reported to Victoria Police
  • Raise awareness and build capacity within Victoria Police, to improve their cultural competency when serving Victorian Muslim communities
  • Engage and educate communities about their rights when engaging with Victoria Police
  • Improve the appropriateness of referrals Victorian Muslims are offered through the Victoria Police referral system

ISLAMOPHOBIA REGISTER

The Islamophobia Register provides a secure platform for Islamophobic incidents to be reported. The reported incidents are verified, recorded and analysed in partnership with Charles Sturt University, to produce the Islamophobia in Australia Reports. These reports play a significant role in raising awareness about Islamophobia in Australia.

Islamophobia Support works with the Islamophobia Register to:

  • Provide support and care to Victorians who have reported an incident to the Islamophobia Register
  • Advocate for the rights of Australian Muslims through raising awareness about the scope, nature and impacts of Islamophobia

Our mental health service partners can be found HERE.

Our legal service partners can be found HERE.

 

CONTACT US

 

Connect with Islamophobia Support

 

You can contact Islamophobia Support in the following ways. We will aim to provide you with free information, advice, referrals and ongoing care.

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PHONE

You can talk to us from Monday to Friday, between 9am and 5pm.

Call 03 9328 2067


EMAIL

You can email us at any time and we will respond within 3 weekdays.

Email islamophobiasupport@icv.org.au


REPORT

You can record what has happened and let us know how you would like to be supported using the online incident form.

Report an Islamophobic incident HERE

Please let us know if you would like language assistance (including the help of a translator) or if you would prefer to speak with a male or female.

 

 

Submit An Incident Report

REPORT ISLAMOPHOBIA

 
Information about how to report Islamophobia to our service, why reporting can be important, and our Privacy Policy.

SUPPORT & EDUCATION

 
Information about our Islamophobia Support Referral Network, community resources, Position Statement, and links to relevant research.