We are committed to dealing with hate crime and harassment and encourage you to report incidents to us.

People may become a victim of hate crime or harassment because of their

  • race, colour, ethnic origin, nationality or national origins
  • religious, cultural or political beliefs
  • gender or gender identity
  • sexual orientation
  • disability (physical, mental or learning)
  • spent criminal convictions
  • marital or civil partnership status
  • family circumstance
  • age

We recognise that a victim of hate crime and/or harassment does not have to be a member of a minority group or someone who is generally considered to be a 'vulnerable' person - anyone can be a victim at any time. This includes anyone suffering Domestic Abuse.

We have adopted the Home Office 2007 definition of hate crime, which is “any incident which constitutes a criminal offence, which is perceived by the victim or any other person as being motivated by prejudice or hate”.

We have adopted our definition of a racist incident as stated in the Stephen Lawrence Inquiry Report 1999 which is “any incident which is perceived to be racist by the victim or any other person”.
 
Hate crime and harassing someone is a breach of tenancy conditions. We will investigate reports of such behaviour and take action, including legal action, which may result in possession proceedings. 

We have a zero tolerance of hate crime and harassment. You do not have to be a BCHA tenant to talk to us - we will investigate every incident reported to us and offer you help and support. If you are a victim, we will
 

·        see you immediately where possible, or within 1 working day, and treat you sensitively, professionally

·        agree action plans with you and be guided by what you want to do

·        give you the name and contact details of the our investigating officer

·        remove racist or offensive graffiti from our property within 24 hours

·        make sure your home is safe and if you are our tenant we will treat any damage caused by perpetrators as an emergency repair. A ‘perpetrator’ is the person carrying out the offence.

·        carry out regular visits to you (or arrange to see you elsewhere if you prefer)

·        refer you to Victim Support (if this is what you want) and other supportive agencies

·        take appropriate action at the right time

·        accompany you to court and support you through the process.

Legal action we take may include:

·        Anti Social Behaviour Orders

·        Injunctions, which may include a power of arrest

·        Demotion of tenancy
·        Possession proceedings
 
 
Full details of BCHA’s Hate Crime Harassment Policy is available