Hate Behaviour Policy

Hate Behaviour Policy summary

Our Hate Behaviour Policy outlines our commitment to addressing hate incidents through a victim-centred approach, treating each incident based on the victim’s perception. We ensure accessible reporting channels for all and aim to respond within 24 hours. Support is provided to those affected, with tailored assistance and regular updates throughout the case.

We take prompt, proportionate action against perpetrators, utilising available legal powers and interventions. Information is offered in accessible formats, including translation for non-English speakers. For more information, please read our Hate Behaviour Policy in full below or contact us directly. 

1 POLICY PURPOSE

1.1 One Manchester recognises that hate incidents can have a significant negative impact, both for those experiencing them directly and for those living in the community where the hate incidents are occurring.

1.2 One Manchester believes it is the fundamental right of all people to live free from the fear of violence, threats and abuse.

1.3 We are committed to tacking all forms of Hate Crime.

1.4 We recognise the effect hate crime has on wellbeing and quality of life, and will endeavour to take a robust, victim cantered approach.

1.5 We are fully committed to partnership working, we know the best results come from an integrated approach, and central to this will be supporting and engaging with customers and residents, as well as our partner agencies including the voluntary sector.

1.6 We recognise that hate incidents can disproportionately impact those people with protected characteristics. We are strongly committed to fairness and making sure that everyone has the same opportunities to achieve the same or similar outcomes and we will take additional steps in the application of this policy and make reasonable adjustments to ensure compliance with the Act that this is achieved.  

1.7 One Manchester will collect feedback from our customers about how we are responding to incidents driven by hatred and prejudice.  

1.8 One Manchester will work in partnership with local authority departments, the police and other relevant organisations to deter and tackle hate incidents in the neighbourhoods where we provide social housing.

2 POLICY SCOPE

2.1   This Policy applies to:

• Those who are victims and witnesses of hate related behaviour and live in our properties or visit our properties

• Those who are the perpetrators of hate behaviour and live in our properties or visit our properties

• Those who are the perpetrators of hate behaviour and are not our customers but are perpetrating conduct driven by hate and where this conduct is having a direct impact on our housing management function

2.2. This includes people who live in our

• general needs accommodation

• Supported schemes

• Leasehold as well as people who live in other tenures (where their conduct is having a direct impact on our housing management function)

2.3 We also recognise that our own colleagues and contractors may be affected by hate incidents and we are committed to supporting them in any way that we can if they witness or are subjected to hate behaviour whilst carrying out their duties.

3 DEFINITIONS:

3.1 One Manchester adopts the joint Police and Crown Prosecution Service definition1 of Hate Crime which is:

3.2 “Any criminal offence which is perceived by the victim or any other person, to be motivated by hostility or prejudice, based on a person’s disability or perceived disability; race or perceived race; religion or perceived religion; sexual orientation or perceived sexual orientation; or transgender identity or perceived transgender identity.”

3.3 Hate crimes can include threatening behaviour, assault, robbery, damage to property, inciting others to commit hate crimes and/or harassment., theft, verbal abuse, harassment and intimidation

4. RELEVANT LEGISLATION & REGULATION

• ASB Crime and Policing Act 2014

• Equality Act 2010

• Housing Acts 1985, 1988 ,1996 and 2004

• ASB Act 2003

• Crime and Disorder Act 1998

• GDPR 2018

• Data Protection Act 2000

• Protection from Harassment Act 1997

• Policing and Crime Act 2009

• Police Reform and Social Responsibility Act 2011

• Criminal Justice Act 2003

• Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006

• Mental Capacity Act 2005

• The Human Rights Act 1998

• Domestic Abuse Act 2021

• Public Order Act 1986

• Consumer standards Code 2024

5 POLICY STATEMENT

5.1 When tackling hate crime One Manchester will strive to:-

5.1.1 maintain a victim-centred approach by putting them first,

5.1.2 work in partnership with other agencies and support groups  so that support can be identified and delivered and signpost when appropriate.

5.1.3 take a positive, supportive and non-judgemental approach to victims of hate crime.

5.1.4 respond positively to reports and take all reports seriously

5.1.5 encourage and publicise the reporting of hate behaviour when appropriate.

5.1.6 take prompt and effective action against perpetrators  

5.1.7 ensure a service for reporting Hate Behaviour is available and accessible for all customers, colleagues, partner agencies and members of the public

5.1.8 eliminate any barriers to reporting Hate crime

5.1.9 respond to reports of Hate Behaviour in a timely manner within 24 hours of the report being made

5.1.10 acknowledge that each case of hate crime is different, tailoring the support offered to victims and witnesses appropriately.

5.1.11 take prompt and appropriate action in response to hate incidents, having regard to the full range of tools and legal powers available.

5.1.12 support those who are experiencing incidents of Hate Behaviour, and stay in contact with them, keeping them informed of progress throughout their case

5.1.13 use a risk assessment tool to assess levels of risk and vulnerability and identify appropriate levels of support.

5.1.14 liaise with partner organisations and work together to find solutions

5.1.15 undertake action that is reasonable and proportionate and be clear with customers on the range of interventions and solutions available

5.1.16 provide information in all accessible formats approved by customers which summarises how One Manchester will manage hate related incidents including timescales for responding to reports, and translate this information for those customers whose first language is not English.

5.1.17 publicise successful enforcement and prevention actions and initiatives, where appropriate.

5.1.18 encourage customer groups to support victims and give evidence of hate incidents.

5.1.19 respond to incidents swiftly and within agreed timescales.

5.1.20 support individuals to obtain legal remedies against their perpetrator through the civil and criminal courts if needed.

5.1.21 deal with complaints of hate crime in the strictest confidence and in accordance with our legal and regulatory obligations.

5.1.22 keep victims informed of developments at all stages

5.1.23 consider and, where appropriate, use intervention measures such as mediation services.

5.2 Where the alleged perpetrator is a member of staff, investigate the incident in accordance with our policies and procedures.

6 SAFEGUARDING

6.1 We are committed to safeguarding all our customers and children and will take appropriate action when concerns are raises, suspected or disclosed.

6.2 This policy aligns with our  Safeguarding Policy.

7 WORKING TOGETHER IN PARTNERSHIP

7.1 We are committed to working collaboratively and in partnership with both statutory, and non-statutory agencies, as well as members of our community, to strive to provide a safe environment for our tenants and residents. and with a common aim of trying to reduce hate incidents.

8 DATA PROTECTION AND INFORMATION SHARING

8.1 We will share information with our partners in accordance with relevant legislation such as the General Data Protection Regulations 2018, Data Protection Act 2000 and the Crime and Disorder Act 1998, to help protect vulnerable victims and detect, prevent and take coordinated action against hate crime and hate incidents.

8.2 We are committed to ensuring customer confidentiality and will not disclose their identity unless they agree that we can, or unless there is a need to share that and other information with other agencies for lawful purposes, such as where there is a need to safeguard someone at risk.

9 COLLEAGUE TRAINING AND SUPPORT

9.1 Relevant colleagues will be able to access appropriate training as well as updates on relevant legislation and changes in national policy drivers. We are committed to continuous personal development and training and will access both internal and external training appropriately.

10 QUALITY ASSURANCE AND MONITORING  

10.1 We will consult with all the relevant key stakeholders, including customers and colleagues on this Policy to deal with hate related behaviour and to improve its effectiveness on a regular basis. We will invite customers to scrutinise our service and give us feedback for improvements.

10.2 We will seek feedback from customers and carry out regular monitoring and reviews of all reported cases of hate related behaviour, including the numbers, progress and outcomes of cases.

11 COMPLAINTS

11.1 Any party involved in a hate behaviour case can make a complaint to One Manchester if they are not satisfied about how their case has been handled. When a complaint of this type is made, we will follow the process set out in our complaints policy and process.

12 RESPONSIBILITIES

12.1 Overall responsibility for this Policy lies with Head of Neighbourhoods

13 EQUALITY IMPACT ASSESSMENT

13.1 An Equality Impact Assessment (EIA) has been completed and assessed

13.2 One Manchester is committed to Equality, Diversity & Inclusion. We strive to be fair in our dealings with all people, communities and organisations, taking into account the diverse nature of their culture and background and actively promoting inclusion.

14 MONITORING AND REVIEW

14.1 Compliance with this policy shall be monitored by Neighbourhood Manager (Community Safety). We will review the impact of this policy on customers with protected characteristics.

14.2 The Policy will be reviewed in 3 years.

14.3 The Head of Neighbourhoods  will be responsible for initiating a review of this policy.

15 ASSOCIATED POLICIES AND DOCUMENTS

15.1 Internal Documents:

• ASB Policy

• Domestic Abuse Policy

• Safeguarding  Adults Policy

• Allocations Policy

• Vulnerability Policy

• Complaints Policy