Concern, also, that anti-racism education is, arguably, more important today than at any other time in our shared history. Not just for police, but for all Australians. We are at the crossroads and choices need to be made. As complex as the issues may appear, there are indications that we are forgetting that racism, in all its forms and disguises, is wrong, and must be condemned at every opportunity. It is gratifying to see Victoria Police and other Police Services in Australia taking an uncompromising stand against racism.
Education is an important weapon for combating racism.
As one of the key roles of policing is to preserve the peace, any educational resources which counter the ignorance and irrational fear, must be valued. I have strong empathy for the victims of racism and racist violence, and I hope that the videos reflect that fact enough to sensitise the audience to the insidious impact racism has on its victims. Because if we remain indifferent to inequality and injustice, we remain part of the problem. That was a daunting task because I recall when the National Inquiry into Racist Violence was held, many witnesses who were victims of racist violence were reluctant to even anonymously give evidence if police were in the same room. Such was the level of mistrust.