What you need to know when responding to violence in local communities: guidance for NAVCA members

The recent rise in racist violence has created significant challenges for communities across the country. NAVCA, in collaboration with the VCS Emergencies Partnership (VCSEP), has developed a comprehensive guide to support local infrastructure organisations in navigating these difficult times. We’ve summarised our key advice in this blog post, and NAVCA members can download the full guide from the NAVCA website. Keep reading to learn more.

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·       Identify and address risks to keep colleagues safe

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Conduct rapid risk assessments to ensure the safety of staff, volunteers, and service users. Minimise lone working, avoid travel in high-risk areas, and consider temporary closures of office buildings if necessary. Ensure that staff who may be affected have a place to share concerns and debrief.

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·       Stay connected with local authorities and police, and ensure clear communication with voluntary sector partners

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Local infrastructure organisations (LIOs) play a crucial role in crisis response. From acting as points of contact, to coordinating clean-ups and countering disinformation, LIOs are on the front lines. NAVCA members are supporting their communities by providing accurate information, offering solidarity, and engaging with at-risk organisations.

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·       Make sure your communications are clear and safe

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Clear, consistent communication is vital in times of crisis. Keep your communities informed regularly to prevent misinformation and fear. Use email and direct communication methods rather than relying solely on social media, especially when communicating with affected communities, and ensure any shared information is from reputable sources.

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·       Issue a public statement of solidarity and support

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Issuing a public statement condemning racist violence and outlining your approach can be impactful. On our website, we have also curated some guidance on messaging around far right violence. You can read the NAVCA statement here.

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·       Download our documents and share them with your local communities

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We have curated a set of documents from trusted organisations, which offer practical advice on language, safety, and challenging racist rhetoric. NEON’s ‘Far Right Violence: A Messaging Guide’ can be downloaded publicly here, and other documents such as Hope Not Hate’s ‘Staying Safe Amidst Far Right Violence’ can be accessed by members via our website. You can also upload your own documents if you have something helpful to share with the wider network.

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What NAVCA is doing

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We have spoken to sector partners and to government about what VCFSE organisations and local infrastructure organisations need right now, and are continuing to feed back your experiences. We are advocating for immediate government support in several areas, including funding for clean-up operations, repairs and rebuilding; support for targeted organisations that have had to close so that they can continue to help their communities; and guidance on countering far-right narratives.

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NAVCA members can log in to our website to access the full guidance document and additional resources. You can also signup for member support sessions, where we are listening to members about what’s happening near you, and letting you know our latest policy updates. Log in here.

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