20-21_ARENA_AUTUMN2015.qxd_Arena_A5 10/08/2015 11:45 Page 2 Respect Determined rep in landmark race case Call centre worker Gabrielle McDowall was not prepared to put up with racist abuse, she tells arena her remarkable story... A racist abusive caller will remember the day he shouted down the line at call centre worker and union rep Gabrielle ‘Gaby’ McDowall, who was not prepared to endure his hate-filled rantings as part of her job. Gaby reported the incident to the local police in Bolton, Lancashire, and the man was tracked down and fined more than £400 at Lincolnshire magistrates court in March. “I’m originally from Botswana in Southern Africa, I’m a child of Apartheid, so human rights and equality have always mattered to me,” said Gaby, 51. “The incident happened in late January, I remember it well. It was a Friday morning. This guy started speaking quite slowly and quietly at first as he explained why his direct debit payment had bounced. “Then he started using the ‘f’ word. That happens quite often, you get used to it. But then his voice became louder and louder and he started shouting, ‘you’re f***ing harassing me, you’re f***ing this, f***ing that’. I tried to calm him down but he 20 32 arena shouldn’t have to put up with that level of abuse. It was clear to me the caller had picked up on my accent and used those words to get me off the phone and hurt my feelings, his words were his weapon. “He could have called me a ‘f***ing bitch’ that wouldn’t have bothered me so much, but bringing someone’s colour into it that’s not acceptable. “So I went to the magistrates court in late March. The recording of the call was played and he pleaded guilty, he had no choice. In the end I felt sorry for him. He did apologise but now His words were his weapon he has a criminal record and “By the time I got home and social services checked on him told my husband Andy, I’d to make sure the kids were OK. decided to report it to the police “I’m pleased I did it. At work and I did that on the Saturday. we have a lot of Asian staff and The police were very helpful. they were very interested and “A constable, Bryan Bowdell, supportive as were other came to my house, took a colleagues. I want others to do statement, and explained the what I’ve done we shouldn’t crime is recorded where the call have to put up with it. was made – Lincolnshire. Bryan “The court awarded me more did everything and kept me than £100, so I get a cheque informed, he acted as the liaison every month from him and if he between Bolton and Lincoln and doesn’t pay he’ll be back to he made sure everything was court. Perhaps he will treat the done on time. next black woman he encounters “I was determined to go with some respect and remember through with it. People that woman from Bolton!” ignored me. I could hear his kids and partner in the background so it was quite upsetting. He sounded violent and I had the impression if he’d been standing next to me he would have punched me. “Then he shouted ‘you f***ing Paki bitch!’. I was shocked and said ‘pardon?’ I couldn’t believe what I’d heard. Then he shouted it again. I said ‘I could report you for that sort of language’ but he carried on yelling and screaming so I ended the call. I was visibly upset.