Hate crimes hurt individuals and communities, and reporting it allows the University and the police to better understand and deal with what is happening.
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.
Hate incidents and crimes include bullying, harassment and sexual harassment which are contrary to the Equality Act 2010 and the University Dignity at Work Policy. Find out more about bullying and harassment and sexual harassment.
Think
- Are you in immediate danger? If you are in immediate danger or seriously injured, you can call 999 (or 112 from a mobile). If you are on campus you should also contact the College Security Team on 020 7468 5121 (Camden) or 01707 66 6258 (Hawkshead).
- Find a safe space. If an incident has just happened try and find somewhere you feel safe. If this isn't possible and you are scared or fearful you can call security on 020 7468 5121 (Camden) or 01707 66 6258 (Hawkshead).
Talk
- To a friend. Talking things through with someone you trust can sometimes help.
- Dignity at Work and Study Ambassador: An adviser can talk through the University's procedures, how to make a complaint and what support is available, in confidence.
- RVC’s Advice Centre offer emotional and practical support. This could include a referral for counselling or mental health support, signposting to specialist external resources and providing advice and support to co-ordinate any reasonable adjustments if your studies have been affected. For more information on the support we offer and to book an appointment please visit our Learn site or contact us on 020 8051 3500 or email advice@rvc.ac.uk.
Report
- 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 about a student or member of staff there are procedures which set out the steps you'll need to follow.
- To the Police. If you want to report directly to the police you can call 999 if it is an emergency or 101 for non-emergencies. If you do not feel comfortable contacting the police directly, you can report hate crime at local hate crime reporting centres in Hertfordshire (Welwyn Hatfield) and Camden.