If you think someone you know has experienced racial discrimination, harassment or a hate crime or incident, there are many ways in which you can help them.
Understanding what racial discrimination, harassment, hate crimes and hate incidents are can be a a good place to start. Please see our sections on these in our Report and Support pages to gain a fuller understanding of what these terms mean.
Race includes colour, nationality, citizenship and ethnic or national origins.
Think
- Are they in immediate danger? If they are in immediate danger or seriously injured, you can call 999 (or 112 from a mobile).
- Find a safe space. If an incident has just occurred, try to help them find somewhere they feel safe. If this isn't possible and they are scared or fearful, you can suggest they call security on 01225 87 5555.
Talk
- Listen - just taking the time to listen to someone and talk with them about what has happened can help. These six active listening tips might help you to support them.
- Give options - when they have finished talking, ask them if they are open to discussing some possible options.
- Student Wellbeing Services - an advisor can confidentially discuss the University's procedures, how to make a complaint and the support that is available. Advisors can talk both to the person who is experiencing the problem. and to those who are supporting that person.
Report
- To the Police - if you want to report directly to the police you can contact Avon and Somerset Police on 101, or use the online form for reporting crime.
- 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 speak with an advisor, they will be able to confidentially discuss the options and support available to you.
- University Procedure - if you choose to make a formal complaint to the University about a student or a member of staff, there are procedures which set out the steps that will need to be followed.
- SARI - Stand Against Racism and Inequality case workers.
Get Support
- Student Wellbeing Services provides confidential help and support for students
- Staff can speak with their line-manager, a Harassment Advisor, contact HR and access Lifeworks, the University’s employee assistance service
- SARI - Stand Against Racism and Inequality case workers
Mental Health
- 1 in 4 people is affected by a mental health problem in any year and it is estimated that around 1 in 5 people has contemplated suicide or self-harm.
- Take care of yourself. If you’ve heard something distressing or if something is troubling you:
- Student Wellbeing Services provides confidential help and support for students
- Staff can speak with their line-manager, a Harassment Advisor, contact HR and access Lifeworks, the University’s employee assistance service.
Bath Spa University has a zero-tolerance approach to all racial discrimination, harassment and hate incidents; any member of the community who is a victim of such experiences will receive our full support.
Reporting any incidents allows us to better understand and deal with what is happening. You may be querying whether the incident is serious enough to be reported and we would encourage you to do so, particularly if you are distressed and want to speak about or have a record of what happened.