If you think someone you know has experienced a hate crime there are lots of ways in which you can help them.
Understanding the behaviours associated with hate crimes is a good place to start. Most people will usually describe what has or is happening to them and how it's making them feel.
Hate incidents and hate crimes are acts of violence or hostility against a person or property that is motivated by hostility or prejudice towards a person due to a particular characteristic. This could be a disability, race or ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation, transgender identity or an alternative sub-culture hate crime. A victim does not have to be a member of the group at which the hostility is targeted. In fact, anyone could be a victim of a hate crime.
Hate incidents and crimes include bullying, harassment and sexual harassment, which are contrary to the Equality Act 2010, the Student Code of Conduct, and the University Dignity at Work Policy. Find out more about bullying and harassment and sexual harassment.
Think
- Are they in immediate danger? If you are in immediate danger, or seriously injured, you can call 999 (or 112 from a mobile).
- Finding a safe space. If possible try and find somewhere you feel safe. If this isn't possible and you are on campus you can call Security on 01227 922355.
- Safe Zone. You can also use the Safe Zone app to immediately contact Security, if you are on campus.
- What is sexual assault? You can read more about what sexual assault is.
- What is a hate crime? It might be useful to think about what hate crime is and how some of the behaviours are described.
Talk
- Listen. Just taking the time to listen to someone and talk about what has happened can help. These six active listening tips might help you to support them.
- Give options. When they have finished talking, ask them if they are okay to talk through some possible options.
- Student Support and Wellbeing Advisers. The Advisers support students in making informed decisions, through one-to-one conversations, be it related to personal, general wellbeing, financial, housing, or academic matters. The Wellbeing Advisers can be a triage service to other more specialist areas within the Student Support, Health and Wellbeing Department, including Mental Wellbeing and Disability Services. If we cannot help, we can link in with the other departments within the University who can, and any external services and resources, where possible.
Report
- Reporting to the police. If you're thinking of reporting to the police, rape crisis have produced a useful list of things to think about.
- Reporting the incident anonymously. If you are not the victim of the crime, you can call Crime Stoppers at any point on 0800 555 111 or use their online form.
- Report and Support. Students and staff can report an incident using the University’s Report and Support system. You can choose to do this anonymously, or you can request support from an advisor. If you choose to talk to an advisor they will be able to talk through the options and support available to you, in confidence.
- University Procedure. If you choose to make a formal complaint to the University against a student or a member of staff there are procedures that set out the steps you’ll need to follow
Support