Hate Crime - It's happening to someone I know
If you think someone you know has experienced a hate crime there are lots of ways in which you can help them.
Hate incidents and hate crime 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.
Understanding the behaviours associated with hate is a good place to start. Most people will usually describe what has or is happening to them and how it is making them feel.
THINK
- Are they in immediate danger? If they are in immediate danger or seriously injured, you can either EDI Helpline on +220 7460692 or 2333, or contact the MRCG at LSHTM security team on extension 1505 for emergency help.
- Find a safe space – if an incident has just happened, you can try and find somewhere they feel safe. If this isn’t possible and they are scared or fearful you can call MRCG at LSHTM’s security team on extension 1505.
- 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 support them (Published on Oct 4, 2015 Based on the Samaritans guidelines for active listening).
- Give options. When they have finished talking ask them if they are okay to talk through some possible options and next steps.
- Anti-Bullying and Harassment Advisors can talk through MRCG at LSHTM’s procedures, how to make a complaint and what support is available, in confidence.
- Mental Health First Aiders can provide immediate mental health support.
REPORT
- Reporting to the police. You can report any hate crime to the nearest police station.
- Report and Support. Staff and students can report an incident using MRCG at LSHTM’s Report and Support system. You can choose to do this anonymously or you can make a report with contact details. If you choose to report with contact details your submission will be reviewed by the Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Team who will contact you to talk through the options.
- Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy. This document provides further information.
- Grievance Procedure. If you choose to make a formal complaint to MRCG at LSHTM about a member of staff or student, there are procedures which set out the steps you'll need to follow.
- Whistleblowing Policy. Whistleblowing is the disclosure of information which relates to suspected wrongdoing or dangers at work. This policy should not be used for complaints relating to your own personal circumstances, such as the way you have been treated at work. In those cases you should use the Grievance Procedure or Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Policy as appropriate.
GET SUPPORT
If you know someone who is the target of a hate crime, there are a variety of support options available for them. It's important you take care of yourself too - you can also access student and/or staff wellbeing services for support.
MRCG at LSHTM Support for Staff and Students
- Only connect staff counselling service. A trained counsellor can meet with you to discuss any issue and all issues will be treated confidentially.
- HR Department. If you are a member of staff or manager your HR business partner will be able to identify the support that’s available to you.
- Trade Union. The MRCG Workers’ Union represents staff at MRCG at LSHTM.
- Mental Health First Aiders – An MHFA can provide immediate mental health support.
- Anti-Bullying and Harassment Advisors can talk through MRCG at LSHTM’s procedures, how to make a complaint and what support is available, in confidence.