London ACEs Hub's Statement on the Commission on Race and Ethnic Disparities’ Report

In the light of the official report on racial equality released by the UK Government on 31 March, we reiterate the London ACEs Hub’s commitment to raising awareness of the adverse childhood experience of racism that results in individual and collective traumas and negatively impacts our society as a whole.

We emphasise our Call to Action where we state our conviction that racism is a public health crisis in London and our concern that Black, Brown and other ethnic minority lives in the UK, of all ages, are being diminished by inequalities and by lack of access to appropriate trauma-informed care.

We will continue to engage with statutory and non-statutory organisations, parents and heads of homes, children and young people, educators, multidisciplinary professionals, survivors and community advocates from all backgrounds to challenge racist myths and to educate the public about the multiple dimensions of racial trauma, which are often minimised or ignored.

In this aim, we invite the UK Government to recognise and acknowledge the seriousness of the impact of the adverse childhood experience of racism and the gravity of its detrimental outcomes for individuals, families and our communities. These are evidenced by several sources, including on ACEs, health, Covid-19 disparities, mental health, child protection and out-of-home care and criminal justice.

We also appeal to all Londoners to reflect upon the reality they experience in their lives and in their communities and to come together to create a truly fairer and resilient London where the adverse childhood experience of racism and its associated harms are eliminated and trauma-informed awareness and racial equality become indeed a part of everyday life.

Shareable PDF link here.

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