Academic Support for the Advancement of Sector Monitoring within the Comprehensive Refugee Concept for Berlin

The scientific guidance assisted the Commissioner of the Berlin Senate for Integration and Migration and her department in developing a specialist monitoring system within the overall concept for the integration and participation of refugees, focusing on the cross-cutting issue of anti-discrimination.

The study examined refugees’ experiences of discrimination both within and outside refugee accommodations in Berlin. To this end, two sub-studies were conducted: one based on qualitative interviews and the other on a quantitative online survey.

Sub-study 1 involved qualitative interviews with refugees as well as with anti-discrimination counseling centers and other advisory services in Berlin. The interviews aimed to generate insights into the types of discrimination refugees experience in Berlin, the extent to which they are aware of legal protections against discrimination, their knowledge of available support services, and the barriers refugees face in accessing anti-discrimination services in Berlin.

Sub-study 2 consisted of an exploratory quantitative survey designed to assess refugees’ experiences of discrimination in accommodation centers. In addition to experiences of discrimination, the survey instrument also collected information on the perpetrators and the perceived reasons for these experiences. Methodologically, the primary focus was on testing the instrument to ensure its suitability for potential future data collection within the framework of Berlin’s monitoring concept.

To date, there has been limited empirical evidence on refugees’ experiences of discrimination in Berlin.

The study aimed to systematically capture refugees’ experiences of discrimination in Berlin, both within and outside accommodation centers, to examine their awareness of legal protections and support services, and to identify existing barriers to accessing anti-discrimination services.

The research project was based on both a qualitative and a quantitative sub-study:

In sub-study 1, qualitative interviews were conducted with refugees as well as with anti-discrimination and other advisory services in Berlin.

In sub-study 2, an exploratory quantitative survey was designed to collect refugees’ experiences of discrimination in accommodation centers. In addition to experiences of discrimination, the survey instrument also gathered information on the perpetrators and the perceived reasons for these experiences. Methodologically, the primary focus was on testing the instrument to ensure its suitability for potential future data collection within the framework of Berlin’s monitoring concept.

The interviews show that refugees in Berlin experience discrimination in many areas of life.

Typical situations include:

• Authorities: Refugees face disadvantages in the granting of benefits and the recognition of foreign documents.
• Education: Refugee children are often misclassified and sometimes experience racist bullying or violence from classmates.
• Police: Refugees calling for help are often initially treated as suspects; in some cases, there are incidents of violence by police officers.
• Accommodation centers: Discrimination occurs from social workers, security personnel, or management, e.g., less attention is given to people whose languages are less represented.
• Housing and neighborhood: Complaints about children’s noise or cooking smells can lead to warnings or threats of eviction; bullying can escalate to physical violence.
• Apartment search: Apartments are often suddenly rented to others once it becomes known that refugees are interested.
• Public space and public transport: Verbal abuse in public and discriminatory treatment during ticket inspections are frequently reported.
• Goods and services: Unwarranted checks, bans from stores, insults, or lack of protection are reported in supermarkets.
• Healthcare: Refugees are sometimes turned away or not treated due to insufficient German language skills.

Consequences of discrimination experiences:

Refugees respond differently: some actively confront discrimination, while others ignore it or resign themselves. A recurring pattern is the feeling of not being allowed to complain or defend themselves.

Emotional support is usually received outside official counseling services, primarily within private networks, or refugees are left to cope on their own.

Barriers that make resistance difficult include limited legal options, lack of financial and emotional resources, and complex personal situations. Refugees tend to normalize discrimination, avoid negative attention, and fear potential consequences.

Barriers to accessing counseling services:

• Lack of awareness of available services
• Distrust of government institutions
• Language barriers and lack of translation services
• Difficulties scheduling appointments
• Insufficient knowledge and lack of discrimination-sensitive attitudes among counseling staff

• Better promotion of anti-discrimination services
• Improved accessibility (by phone, online, and on-site)
• Multilingual counseling services
• Promotion of discrimination-sensitive attitudes among staff (e.g., through training)
• Decentralized accommodation for refugees