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Racism and discrimination

The Equality Act 2010 states that you should not be discriminated against because of your race. There are different forms of race discrimination including direct, indirect and harassment. The video below explains different types of racism and race discrimination.

Microaggressions are daily or regular verbal comments that are offensive to somebody whether intentional or not, and are derogatory, hostile or communicate negative attitudes towards minority groups.

In the video, Edge Hill University students talk about the forms of discrimination they have experienced.

The video explains what microaggressions are, the impact they can have, and how to deal with them when you see them happening.

How I deal with microaggressions at work – BBC Ideas

As staff it is important to be aware of the procedures to follow if a student discloses to you that they have experienced any type of racism or discrimination.

Racism and discrimination should be addressed and challenged. It is important to speak to the individual who has experienced the discrimination or racism and to check how they are feeling, and to discuss how this will be addressed and challenged.

It is important to address discriminatory and racist language and behaviours when you see them, by speaking to the people involved and explaining what they did, why it was unacceptable, the impact they have had on the individual it was aimed at (whether intentional or not), and if appropriate what the disciplinary procedure is for addressing this kind of behaviour and language.

This short video of Edge Hill students talking about their experience of discrimination and racism and their thoughts on how this can be challenged by staff.

Before stepping in, try the ABC approach
How you can intervene safely

The advice is to always call 999 if you’re reporting a crime that’s in progress or if someone is in immediate danger.  If this is not the case then you can use one or more of the four options below.

  1. Report the Hate Crime directly to the Police: All hate crime can be reported to the police if the complainant chooses to do so by calling 101 or by reporting hate crime online: https://www.report-it.org.uk/your_police_force
  2. Report the Hate Crime to the Police via the Third Party Reporting Centre on the Edge Hill University campus: The Students’ Union Advice Centre has partnered with Lancashire Constabulary and is an official hate crime reporting centre. Students can attend the Students’ Union Advice Centre where trained advisors will support the individual to report the hate crime to the police. Alternatively, they can make a report on your behalf. You can book an appointment with the SU Advice Centre here: https://www.edgehillsu.org.uk/advice.

Please note that by reporting a crime to the Third Party Reporting Centre on campus the University will not be automatically informed.  You need to also complete number three below in order for the University to be able to consider the incident under its own procedures.

If you wish to report the hate crime via a Third Party Reporting Centre but cannot access the one at the University you can find a list online of all Third Party reporting centres in the Lancashire area.

  1. Report the Hate Crime to the University: You can report a Hate Crime directly to the University for consideration under the relevant University procedure.
Process for an allegation against a student
Process for an allegation against a staff member

The University is committed to providing support for those members of its community directly or indirectly effected by these issues. Support resources are available to any member of the University regardless of their choice to proceed to report the incident or not. Below outlines the range of support available to our staff and students.

Mental Health & Wellbeing Team
External support
  • Microaggressions, discrimination and racism should always be challenged and where necessary and appropriate they should be reported.
  • If you witness racist or discriminatory behaviour from students towards other students this must be addressed.
  • If a student reports a Hate Crime, follow the procedures to report this.
  • If a student wishes to report an incident of racism or discrimination then please support them to do so.
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