Monday 21 February 2011

Inequalities experienced by Gypsy and Traveller communities: A review

 

© Equality and Human Rights Commission 2009

First published Winter 2009

ISBN 978 1 84206 088 9

 

http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/uploaded_files/research/12inequalities_experienced_by_gypsy_and_traveller_communities_a_review.pdf

Research report: 12

Inequalities experienced by Gypsy and Traveller communities: A review

 

 

Sarah Cemlyn, Margaret Greenfields,

Sally Burnett, Zoe Matthews and Chris Whitwell

University of Bristol, Buckinghamshire New University, Friends Families and Travellers

 

 

 

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

Gypsy and Traveller communities in Britain experience wide-ranging inequalities.

These are familiar to the communities themselves and to those working with them.

However, published research evidence does not address all the problems in equal

depth. The aim of this report is to draw together the evidence from across a wide

range of Gypsies' and Travellers' experiences in order to set out clearly the full extent

of the inequalities and discrimination. The review and evaluation of existing evidence

in turn provide a basis for action to address the inequalities, including on issues

which the policy agenda often neglects.

Formal evidence on some aspects of inequality and exclusion is lacking. The study

also involved a consultation with experts from both within and outside Gypsy and

Traveller communities: this supplemented the review of published research.

The review covers Romany Gypsies, Irish Travellers, Welsh Travellers, Scottish

Gypsy / Travellers, New Travellers and Occupational Travellers (including

Showpeople). For ease of reference, the report will hereafter refer to these groups as

'Gypsies and Travellers'. Case law has established that the Race Relations Acts and

Race Equality Duty cover the majority of these groups. The legislation does not

protect New Travellers or Occupational Travellers in the same way, although they

experience many of the same inequalities and much of the planning guidance applies

to them too. Equality legislation in Wales applies to all citizens, without reference to

membership of specific groups: this ensures the inclusion of all groups. Throughout

Britain, the inclusion of a Gypsy / Traveller category in the 2011 Census will both

provide important data and highlight their ethnic identity.

The review evaluates and discusses the available evidence on a range of subjects.

These include: economic inclusion and access to employment; relationships with and

experiences of accessing healthcare, social care, education and other public

services; experiences of the legal and criminal justice systems; racism and

discrimination; the situation of Gypsies and Travellers in housing; political

participation; religious organisations' work with members of the communities; and

experiences across the lifecourse, including those of young people and older people.

One core theme which arises across all topics is the pervasive and corrosive impact

of experiencing racism and discrimination throughout an entire lifespan and in

employment, social and public contexts. Existing evidence, including from the

consultation, highlights high rates of anxiety, depression and at times self-destructive

behaviour (for example, suicide and / or substance abuse). These are, on the face of

the evidence, responses to 'cultural trauma' produced by the failings of 21st century

British society and public bodies' failure to engage in an equitable manner with

members of the communities. Having reviewed the strength of the evidence of the

prejudice and discrimination faced by Gypsies and Travellers, the authors of the

report were surprised that more members of the Gypsy and Traveller communities

had not succumbed to negativity, and remained resilient in the face of what are often

multiple and complex forms of exclusion.

This summary presents only an outline of some of the key topics: the full report sets

these out in more detail.

Accommodation

The lack of suitable, secure accommodation underpins many of the inequalities that

Gypsy and Traveller communities experience. Planning policy has shifted away from

publicly owned sites, which local housing authorities administer, to self-provision by

the communities themselves. Disputes arise though, often utilising explicitly racist

discourse, when Gypsies and Travellers apply for planning permission to develop a

site on land they have purchased privately. Opposition from local residents frequently

leads to local authorities turning down planning applications, though many are

successful on appeal. In addition to private site development, the Government has

allocated substantial sums to local housing authorities to develop new sites or

refurbish old ones; however, the extent to which local authorities and registered

social landlords access such grants, varies considerably across areas and is often

dependent upon political will and changing local circumstances. Evidence is now

available about the extent of provision and unmet need, as a result of the

requirement for housing authorities to carry out formal accommodation assessments.

These highlight a considerable shortfall in the quantity of residential and transit

accommodation available to Gypsies and Travellers who do not wish to reside in

conventional housing.

Provision on a minority of sites is of good quality. On others however, the location of

sites can be poor (for instance, under motorways or next to sewage works). Other

problems include health hazards (such as contamination by vermin), decayed

sewage and water fittings, poor-quality utility rooms, and failings in fire safety.

Many Gypsies and Travellers are caught between an insufficient supply of suitable

accommodation on the one hand, and the insecurity of unauthorised encampments

and developments on the other: they then face a cycle of evictions, typically linked to

violent and threatening behaviour from private bailiff companies. Roadside stoppingplaces,

with no facilities and continued instability and trauma, become part of the way

of life. Health deteriorates, while severe disruptions occur to access to education for

children, healthcare services and employment opportunities.

In order to avoid the eviction cycle or to access vital services, many families

reluctantly accept the alternative of local authority housing. They are however,

typically housed on the most deprived estates, sharing the wider environmental

disadvantages of their neighbours and exposed to more direct and immediate

hostility focused on their ethnicity or lifestyle. This also involves dislocation from their

families, communities, culture and support systems, leading to further cycles of

disadvantage.

Racism and discrimination

Racism towards most ethnic minority groups is now hidden, less frequently

expressed in public, and widely seen as unacceptable. However, that towards

Gypsies and Travellers is still common, frequently overt and seen as justified.

Abusive media coverage and overtly racist statements from local and national

politicians add to the ignorance and prejudice of many members of the settled

population, while those in authority frequently fail to challenge them. Complaints

abound from members of the communities included in this review: of services being

not welcoming or refused; of employment offers being withdrawn; and of people

being harassed in or dismissed from employment. While Gypsies and Travellers

have experienced such hostility for centuries, what is remarkable – and shameful – is

that this continues in the present day, despite a wealth of legislation to promote

equality and human rights and protect against discrimination.

Inequalities and problems

The following points highlight a few key areas of concern from among the severe,

wide-ranging and mutually reinforcing inequalities and problems faced by members

of the communities that are the focus of this report. It is by no means an exhaustive

list.

• Gypsies and Travellers die earlier than the rest of the population.

• They experience worse health, yet are less likely to receive effective,

continuous healthcare.

• Children's educational achievements are worse, and declining still further

(contrary to the national trend).

• Participation in secondary education is extremely low: discrimination and

abusive behaviour on the part of school staff and other students are

frequently cited as reasons for children and young people leaving education

at an early age.

• There is a lack of access to pre-school, out-of-school and leisure services for

children and young people.

• There is an unquantified but substantial negative psychological impact on

children who experience repeated brutal evictions, family tensions associated

with insecure lifestyles, and an unending stream of overt and extreme

hostility from the wider population.

• Employment rates are low, and poverty high.

• There is an increasing problem of substance abuse among unemployed and

disaffected young people.

• There are high suicide rates among the communities.

• Within the criminal justice system – because of a combination of unfair

treatment at different stages and other inequalities affecting the communities

– there is a process of accelerated criminalisation at a young age, leading

rapidly to custody. This includes: disproportionate levels of Anti-Social

Behaviour Orders against Gypsies and Travellers, instead of the use of

alternative dispute resolution processes; high use of remand in custody, both

because of judicial assumptions about perceived risk of absconding and lack

of secure accommodation; prejudice against Gypsies and Travellers within

pre-sentence reports, the police service and the judiciary; and perpetuation of

discrimination, disadvantage and cultural dislocation within the prison system,

leading to acute distress and frequently suicide.

• Policy initiatives and political systems that are designed to promote inclusion

and equality frequently exclude Gypsies and Travellers. This includes political

structures and community development and community cohesion

programmes.

• There is a lack of access to culturally appropriate support services for people

in the most vulnerable situations, such as women experiencing domestic

violence.

• Gypsies' and Travellers' culture and identity receive little or no recognition,

with consequent and considerable damage to their self-esteem.

Other equality areas

Many of the inequalities which Gypsies and Travellers experience relate to their

ethnicity or nomadic lifestyle. In addition, the review considers other equality issues

in relation to gender, disability, age, religion and sexual orientation, focusing

particularly on the extent to which these interweave with the wider inequalities

community members face. Where information exists, it highlights further difficulties,

such as those of older or disabled people who may need support to live

independently, yet receive little other than a place on a waiting-list for bricks and

mortar housing. In other instances, evidence about the experiences of different

groups within the Gypsy and Traveller population is not available, and indicates a

need for further research.

The lack of systematic ethnic monitoring of Gypsies and Travellers who use public

services, often underpins the lack of hard evidence about the nature and extent of

the problems they face. Within the education sector, the introduction of specific

monitoring categories has enabled the Government to identify inequalities, and to

impress upon local education authorities the need to address these concerns. The

Race Equality Duty similarly requires public sector organisations and services to

monitor the impact of their policies to identify: how their policies affect racial groups;

the extent of satisfaction of people from all groups with the way they are treated;

whether the provision of services is effective for all communities; and whether the

design of services is suitable to meet different needs.

Combating the problems

Many members of the communities are striving to address their problems and stand

up for their rights. For instance, a number of examples exist of initiatives to: provide

children with a better education; enable them to take part in enjoyable and

constructive leisure activities; maintain their cultural heritage and identity; ensure

accessible and appropriate health and social care services; develop training

provision and employment opportunities; and support political and community

engagement among Gypsy and Traveller communities. Gypsy and Traveller

organisations themselves are responsible for instigating and undertaking many such

initiatives, sometimes in partnership with statutory agencies or voluntary bodies.

Members of the communities who are active in national or international

organisations, or who have attained prominent positions within the wider community

(for instance, as county councillors) can be particularly influential in highlighting the

need for the wider community to work together to address problems, for the benefit of

all. Some local authorities have worked together with Gypsy and Traveller

communities to produce 'myth-busting' information in order to provide the general

public with more accurate information about the lifestyles and needs of the

communities, and to combat ignorance and hostility.

Nonetheless, the problems are immense, and continue to have a direct detrimental

impact on the quality of life of Gypsies and Travellers in Britain today. Public

authorities, a range of public and private organisations with which Gypsies and

Travellers have contact, and the wider public, all need to take urgent action to ensure

that Gypsies and Travellers have access to the same services and can exercise the

same rights as the rest of the population. The broadcast and print media too, have an

important role in combating racism and discrimination against Gypsies and

Travellers, as well as reviewing their own approaches to reporting issues relating to

members of these communities.

The authors of this report and the Equality and Human Rights Commission, welcome

feedback and comment on this review and productive proposals from stakeholders

and community members on how best to address the issues it highlights as needing

urgent action.

 

http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/uploaded_files/research/12inequalities_experienced_by_gypsy_and_traveller_communities_a_review.pdf