Definitions
Harassment
Harassment is one of the four components classified under anti-discrimination legislation. For the purpose of this policy, harassment is defined as unwelcome comments (written or spoken) or conduct which:
Violates an individual's dignity, and/or
Creates an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment
Hate Crime
Hate crime is taken to mean any crime in which the perpetrator's conduct is motivated, in whole or in part, by hatred, bias, or prejudice, based upon the actual or perceived race, colour, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion, faith or belief of another individual or group.
Hate crime incidents or harassment can take a variety of forms and may include:
Physical attacks or threats on people as well as damage to property
Abusive language and ‘jokes’
Unfair allocation of resources or non-provision of services
Unfair treatment on the grounds of race, gender, disability, sexuality, religion, faith or belief
Anti-social behaviour which causes a nuisance
Putting up posters or writing offensive graffiti
Sending offensive material or correspondence through the post
Unwanted verbal or physical abuse/advances of a sexual nature
Sexually explicit derogatory statement or reference made to a person’s sexuality or behaviour, which is offensive, threatening, abusive or insulting
Continuously complaining about cultural differences and needs
This list is merely an example and is therefore not exhaustive.
Context
Racial Harassment
Racial harassment is an incident or series of incidents intended or likely to intimidate, offend or harm an individual or group because of their ethnic origin, colour, race, religion or nationality.
For the purpose of our policy a racist incident is defined as:
“A racist incident is any incident which is perceived to be racist by the victim or any other person”. (Definition adopted from the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry 1999)
Sexual Harassment
'Sexual harassment' occurs when a person engages in any form of unwanted verbal, non-verbal, or physical conduct of a sexual nature, which has the purpose or effect of violating a woman (or mans) dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for her (or him) (Sex Discrimination Act 1975). Sexual harassment can occur between heterosexual people and by people of the same sexual orientation.
Disability harassment includes any unwanted verbal or physical abuse and or behaviour related to a person’s disability, which is offensive, derogatory, discriminatory, threatening, abusive or insulting.
Homophobic Harassment
A homophobic incident is any incident, which is perceived to be homophobic by the victim, or any other person. In effect, any incident intended to have an impact on those perceived to be lesbians, gay men, and bisexual or transgender people. (Defined by analogy from the definition of racist incident)
(Employment Equality (Sexual Orientation) Regulations 2003. This legislation bans direct and indirect discrimination, harassment and victimisation driven by a person's sexuality.
Gender Harassment
'Harassment' is defined as unwanted conduct which takes place simply because someone is a woman or a man, and has the purpose or effect of violating a woman (or man's) dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for her (or him). (Sex Discrimination Act 1975)
The Employment Equality (Age) Regulations 2006 came into force on 1 October 2006. Under the new rules it is against the law to discriminate against anyone for being too young or too old when it comes to employment, education and training.
Religion or Belief Harassment
This is where one person subjects another person to harassment on grounds of religion or belief by engaging in unwanted conduct which has the purpose or effect of:
- violating a persons dignity
- creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for someone
(Employment Equality (Religion or Belief) Regulations 2003)
Police Support
If the incident if of a violent nature or physical violence has been threatened please dial 999.
Eastbourne Homes Harassment and Hate Crime Policy and Procedure
Eastbourne Homes has a policy of zero tolerance in regards to harassment and hate crime and is committed to supporting victims, both at work and those living in the properties they manage, within a strategic and enabling role and by working in partnership with other organisations.
Customers, their families or visitors, who are involved in incidents of harassment or hate crime will be breaching the terms and conditions of their tenancy or leasehold agreement and could be at risk of loosing their home.
Board Directors, contractors and employees involved in incidents of harassment or hate crime will be breaching the terms and conditions of their contract with Eastbourne Homes.
We have a comprehensive Harassment and Hate Crime Policy and Procedure which set out how Eastbourne Homes responds to, records and monitors incidents of harassment and hate crimes, with the aims of:
The policy covers customers living in properties managed by Eastbourne Homes and our employees, contractors and Board Directors.
This policy is intended for everyone (complainant or witness) who wishes to report incidents of harassment and hate crime, which occurred on property managed by Eastbourne Homes, including our Resource Centre and working environment.
For more information about our Policy and Procedure please click on the link to the left or contact our Housing and Estates services Team on 01323 415336
Further links
Please also use the links on the left to find out what other organisations can offer support if you experience harassment or are a victim of a hate crime
