Share and Support

Hate Crime and Hate Incidents

 

What is meant by hate crime and hate incidents?

Hate crimes are any crimes that are targeted at a person because of hostility or prejudice towards that person’s disability, race/ethnicity, religion/belief, sexual orientation and transgender identity. A victim does not have to be a member of the group at which the hostility is targeted. Anyone can be a victim of a hate crime.

Hate incidents are non-criminal acts that are targeted at a person because of hostility or prejudice towards that person’s disability, race/ethnicity, religion/belief, sexual orientation and transgender identity. A victim does not have to be a member of the group at which the hostility is targeted. Anyone can be a victim of a hate incident.

Your reporting options

You can report a hate crime by contacting the Police:

• Call 999 in an emergency. If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech impairment a text phone is available on 18000.
• Call 101 for non-emergencies. If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech impairment a text phone is available on 18001 101.
• You can report online with West Yorkshire Police or True Vision

You may wish to initially report to the University through Share and Support.

Further support

• West Yorkshire Police – Hate Crimes site provides information on how the police will handle hate crimes and provide support to victims.
• Tell MAMA(Measuring Anti-Muslim Attacks) is a secure and reliable service that allows people from across England to report any form of Anti-Muslim abuse.
• Stop Hate UKis a UK based charity dedicated to raising awareness and understanding of discrimination and Hate Crime, encouraging its reporting, and supporting the individuals and communities it affects (information is also available in other languages).
• True Visionis a police funded website designed to provide you with information about Hate Crime.
• Galop have created a LGBT+ Hate Crime hotline. Get in touch now on 020 77042040 or at HateCrime@galop.org.uk.

Bullying and Harassment

 

What is meant by bullying and harassment?

Bullying may be characterised as offensive, intimidating, malicious or insulting behaviour, an abuse or misuse of power through means intended to undermine, humiliate, denigrate or injure the recipient. Bullying usually involves a repeated course of conduct.  Conduct may be physical, verbal or non-verbal.   It may also be face to face or electronic. 

Harassment is unwanted conduct which adversely affects the dignity of an individual. It may be persistent or a single isolated incident. The key is that the actions or comments are viewed as hostile or intimidating, demeaning and unacceptable to the recipient. Individuals can also complain of behaviour that they find offensive even if it is not directed at them, but at another individual.  Harassment may have either the purpose or effect of violating an individual’s dignity or create an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for that individual. 

Your reporting options

You may wish to initially report to the University through Share and Support.

• Dignity at Work Advisors are members of staff across the University who have volunteered and are trained to undertake the role.  The Dignity at Work Advisor is an unbiased, neutral colleague who provide a confidential and informal service to assist alleged victims of harassment or bullying or those accused of harassment or bullying. The aim of this role is to facilitate informal resolution in line with the University Dignity at Work Policy.
• Staff Confidential Wellbeing Support provides counselling for all staff.
• Seek advice from your Trade Union.

What support and resources are available if I’ve experienced an incident of bullying or harassment?

Further sources of support:

• ACAS The Advisory, Concilliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) has a number of accessible online resources regarding bullying and harassment at work.
• Citizens Advice provide free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities.

Sexual Misconduct

 

What is meant by Sexual Misconduct?

Sexual Misconduct covers a broad range of inappropriate and unwanted behaviours of a sexual nature. It covers all forms of sexual violence, including: 

• sex without consent, sexual abuse (including online and image-based abuse)
• non-consensual sexual touching this includes completed or attempted acts and those that relate to alcohol/drug facilitated acts.
• sexual harassment (unwanted behaviour of a sexual nature which violates your dignity; makes you feel intimidated, degraded or humiliated or creates a hostile or offensive environment),
• stalking
• abusive or degrading remarks of a sexual nature 
• and a vast range of other behaviours

Your reporting options

You can report sexual violence to the Police:

• Call 999 in an emergency. If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech impairment a text phone is available on 18000.
• Call 101 for non-emergencies. If you are deaf, hard of hearing or have a speech impairment a text phone is available on 18001 101.

You may wish to initially report to the University through Share and Support.

Further support

• Citizens Advice provide free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities.
• Rape Crisis provides a comprehensive information resources.
• Kirklees Rape and Sexual Abuse Counselling Centre provides local services, help guides and a confidential helpline.
• The Hazlehurst Centre provides support to people who have experienced sexual violence or abuse.
• Male Survivors Partnership and Survivors UK provide resources and links for men who have experienced sexual violence or assault.

 

 

 

Discrimination

 

What is meant by discrimination?

Unlawful discrimination takes place when an individual or group of people is treated less favourably than others based on one of the nine protected characteristics in the Equality Act (2010). These include; age, disability, sex, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief (including lack of belief) and sexual orientation.

Discrimination can be direct or indirect.

Why is it important to report incidents of discrimination?

Discrimination creates an intimidating and hostile environment which has a negative impact on study, work and social life. By reporting incidents victims can access support. Organisations are also able to analyse reports and take action to improve people’s experience.

Your reporting options

You may wish to initially report to the University through Share and Support.

 

 Further support

• Citizens Advice provide free, independent, confidential and impartial advice to everyone on their rights and responsibilities.
• Equality and Human Rights Commission provides comprehensive guidance on discrimination.
• Working students may find ACAS guidance and services useful.

 

Emergency Contacts

 

The University acknowledges that anti-social behaviour can affect your wellbeing at any time. Share and Support supports University members who may be victims of anti-social behaviour including hate crime. It supports the University to measure and monitor incidents that affect our University community. It is not meant to be a replacement for the Police Service. In an emergency, please call 999.

Your reporting options

On campus you can:

• Speak to a University staff member
• Call 2222
• Go to the security hub at the front of the Harold Wilson Building.

In a mental health emergency, you can contact:

• Single Point of Access (mental health crisis): 01924 316830
• Your local Accident and Emergency: 999or 111for advice
• Your GP practice or the University Health Centre: 01484 430386
• Samaritans (24/7 support via phone): 116 123
• Police (emergency only):999
• Papyrus Suicide Prevention Helpline (HopeLineUK):0800 0684141 or text07786 209697

Other useful contacts:

• Improving Access to Psycholoical Therapies:01484 434625
• Pennine Domestic Violence: 01484 308307
• CGL The Base (drug and alcohol support):01484 541589