Another report, and yet more findings of overt discrimination. When will we see the change we so desperately need?
The latest independent report revealing bullying, harassment and discrimination complaints in every fire brigade in England made very distressing reading, for me more than most.
My son Jaden Francois-Esprit was a young London firefighter who took his own life after experiencing exactly the kind of racism highlighted in the report. Before he died, he applied 16 times to be transferred from Wembley fire station, where he reported he was teased for eating Caribbean food, given the nickname “lazy boy” and humiliated by reprimands given over the station PA.
Linda Francois is the mother of Jaden Francois-Esprit, a young London firefighter who took his own life after racist bullying, discrimination and harassment at work
In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email [email protected] or [email protected]. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is at 988 or chat for support. You can also text HOME to 741741 to connect with a crisis text line counselor. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org
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