Race Equality First: Hate Crime in Housing

Hodan HersiDiscrimination Casework Project

Coordinator

Race Equality First

Our services include:• Free Confidential advice and assistance if you believe you

are a victim of discrimination or hate crime.• We provide general information about equality, diversity

and equal opportunities• Training and raising awareness• Providing a lobbying voice for issues regarding equality

and anti discrimination• Assisting with anti discrimination education in schools

and with young people in other educational settings.• Assisting organisations to develop and implement

equality policies and practices.• Research and consultancy work.

Race Equality First• What does the Law say?We take cases of perceived discrimination under the

Equality Act 2010; The protected characteristics are• Race• Religion or Belief• Disability• Sexual Orientation• Pregnancy and Maternity • Gender Reassignment• Age• Marriage and Civil Partnership

Race Equality First

• What type of cases do we advise?We advise complainants that perceive that they have

discriminated against in the following areas;• Employment• Good facilities and services • Housing• Police• Health • Hate crime incidents

Definitions

• Hate Incident: Any incident, which may or may not constitute a criminal offence, which is perceived by the victim or any other person, as being motivated by prejudice or hate

• Hate Crime: Any hate incident, which constitutes a criminal offence,

perceived by the victim or any other person, as being motivated by prejudice or hate

- Association of Chief Police Officers (2005)

Hate Crime

“Hate crime is a manifestation of, and a means of sustaining, discrimination against certain groups in our society”

“Hate Crime instills fear in victims, groups and communities. It significantly impacts on the quality of peoples’ lives and leads them to change their habits and lifestyle as they seek to avoid becoming victims”.

Rt Hon. Alan Johnson MP, Hate Crime: The Cross-Government Action Plan (2009)

Forms of Hate Crime

• Racist Hate crime • Religion and faith-based hate crime • Disability Hate Crime • Homophobic Hate Crime • Transphobic hate crime

Aggravating Factors

Sentencing for any crime may be increased if it can be proved that hostility towards the following was a motivating factor:

• Race • Religion• Disability • Sexual orientation• Transgender

Hate Crime and Housing

Why is hate crime an issue for housing?• Neighbour disputes • Anti-social behaviour• Property damage • Repeat incidents and escalation • People asking to be moved• Retaliation

Case highlightsHousing Case 1• The client was a victim of disability and race hate crime at her home, her

neighbour would constantly abuse her and her family and would direct the harassment to the client’s son who has a learning disability. Race Equality first supported the family by working with social services, their social landlord and the police in order to reach a resolution for the family.

Housing Case 2• One of the housing cases received involved a family being harassed by youths

in an area of Cardiff. The family are tenants of a social housing provider. They had been subjected to racial abuse, alleged verbal and physical attacks and their home was attacked. This took place over a number of years. We liaised with South Wales Police Minority support unit and the housing provider. The police and the housing provider worked together to monitor the level of incidents that occurred in the area and specific incidents involving the client. The perpetrators were warned on a number of occasions and the police and the housing provider are now in the process of taking further action against several individuals.

Policy

• Have clear policies and procedures on hate incidents which are promoted to tenants

• Take a victim-centred approach• Commit to taking certain actions • Monitor hate incidents • Train staff to recognise hate incidents and ask

questions sensitively

• Work with Police, CPS, local authorities, community safety partnerships, Victim Support and local voluntary organisations

• Find out if there’s a multiagency hate crime partnership in your area. If not, consider setting one up

Partnership working

Thank you & Any Questions

• Contact Details

Miss Hodan HersiDiscrimination Project Coordinator

Race Equality First113-116 Bute Street

Cardiff BayCardiff

CF10 5EQ02920486207

Email: hodan.hersi@raceequalityfirst.org.ukWebsite: www.refweb.org.uk