Hate Crime
HATE CRIME
Acts of violence, or any behaviour that makes you feel harassed, bullied, intimidated, abused or discriminated against, are not acceptable. You have the right to feel safe at university. The University has policies in place to address incidents of this nature and there are additional routes available for reporting concerns and accessing support.
WHAT TO DO IF YOU ARE A VICTIM OF OR WITNESSED A HATE CRIME
A hate crime, as defined by the Crown Prosecution Service, is any criminal offence perceived by the victim or another person to be motivated by hostility or prejudice related to disability, race, religion, sexual orientation, or transgender identity (including perceived characteristics).
Incidents that do not meet the criminal threshold may be recorded as ‘hate incidents’. What matters most is the victim’s experience, not the perpetrator’s intention. If you feel you have experienced a hate incident, that experience is valid.
- You may feel reluctant to report what happened and might feel:
- Ashamed or embarrassed
- Like it won’t make a difference
- That the incident is too common to report
- That you won’t be taken seriously
- That you cannot report it anonymously
Although these feelings are understandable, support and reporting options are available to help ensure you are not dealing with the experience alone.
ONLINE HATE CRIME
Inciting or stirring up hatred online on the basis of protected characteristics (such as disability, race, religion, sexual orientation or transgender identity) can be prosecuted as a hate crime in England and Wales. This includes threatening or harassing content shared via websites or social media, whether in the form of words, images, videos or music.
You can find more information about hate crime online here:
Detailed guidance can be found in this document created by the Crown Prosecution Service.
REPORT AND SUPPORT
If you have experienced or witnessed a hate crime, there are several reporting and support options available. You do not have to choose just one route and it’s important to consider what feels safest and most supportive for you.
Your College
You can disclose incidents to your College Student Support Office. They can offer support and refer you to specialist services where appropriate. This is different from submitting a formal report through the University’s Report + Support tool. This option may be particularly helpful if the incident took place within college.
Durham University Counselling Service
The Counselling Service can support you if your wellbeing or studies have been affected. More information is available here: Counselling and Mental Health Support
Durham University Chaplaincy Service
The university chaplains can offer more pastoral support. More information can be found here: Chaplaincy
Durham Students' Union
The SU Advice Service offers confidential advice on your options. You can submit a ticket and a member of the team will respond.
Nightline
Nightline is a confidential, student-run listening service available every night during term from 21:00 to 07:00. Contact details are available on their website, on the back of your campus card, or through online messaging. You can find out more about them and their contact details here: https://durhamnightline.com/
Talking changes
An NHS self-help, counselling and talking therapies service for those living in County Durham and Darlington. More information can be found here: Talking Changes
Hate Crime Advocacy Service (HCAS)
HCAS supports victims and witnesses of hate crime through the reporting and prosecution process. Free, confidential support is available via email at hcasdurham2017@gmail.com or by phone on 01325 267359. More information can be found here: HCAS
Equality Advisory and Support Service (EASS)
The EASS provides free guidance on discrimination and human rights issues. They can be contacted by phone (0808 800 0082), email, post, video link (including BSL), and offer advocacy support for individuals with mental ill-health or learning disabilities. More information can be found here: EASS
Tell MAMA
Tell MAMA (Measuring Anti-Muslim Attacks) is a national service that enables people across England to report Anti-Muslim abuse and record incidents related to their Muslim faith or perceived Muslim identity. More information can be found here: MAMA
I HAVE BEEN THE TARGET OF A HATE CRIME/WITNESSED A HATE CRIME. WHAT CAN I DO TO REPORT THE CRIME OR RECEIVE SUPPORT?
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