Discrimination
Discrimination can be direct or indirect.
Direct discrimination: Unlawful discrimination occurs when an individual or a group of people are treated less favourably than others based on a relevant or perceived protected characteristic. A person may also be discriminated against because they are associated with or have advocated on behalf of someone with a protected characteristic.
Indirect discrimination: Can occur when rules are put into practice that apply to everyone but put someone with a protected characteristic at an unfair disadvantage.
The protected characteristics under the Equality Act (2010) are:
- age
- disability
- gender reassignment
- marriage and civil partnership (in employment only)
- pregnancy and maternity (including breastfeeding)
- race (including colour, nationality, ethnicity or national origin)
- religion or belief (including non-belief)
- sex/gender
- sexual orientation.
Hate incidents and crimes
Hate incidents and crimes are motivated by hostility or prejudice against a protected characteristic. In Scotland, hate incidents and crimes apply to the following five protected characteristics:
- race
- religion
- sexual orientation
- transgender identity
- disability.
A hate incident is a non-criminal action. Examples of hate incidents include:
- verbal abuse
- jokes
- harassment
- social media bullying
- offensive graffiti.
A hate crime is a criminal offence that is extended beyond harassment. Examples of hate crimes include:
- assault
- breach of the peace
- sexual assault
- burglary
- theft.
Make a disclosure
It takes great courage to disclose experiences of discrimination or hate. Everyone who has experienced this deserve to be listened to, supported and believed. What has happened is not your fault and you are not alone. Your safety and wellbeing are the most important things right now.
Make a disclosure to the University
Use the Report and Support system to disclose a discrimination or hate incident to the University of St Andrews. You can choose to do this anonymously or you can request support from an adviser.
Staff members can also make a disclosure to:
- Human Resources
- their manager (unless the matter directly relates to them)
- their trade union.
Other ways to make a disclosure
- Make a disclosure to the police
- Call 101 for non-emergencies (call 999 for emergencies)
- Use the Police Scotland online disclosure form
- Go to your local police station:
- The St Andrews police station is located on 68 Pipeland Road, St Andrews, KY16 8JW.
- The Dundee Police Station is located on 4 West Bell Street, Dundee, DD1 1AD
- Call Fife Council on 03451 550022
- Contact the Citizens Advice Bureau through their advice web page or by calling their helpline on 0800 028 1456 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm).
- Contact CrimeStoppers to make a disclosure anonymously. CrimeStoppers often passes information to the police. You can call 0800 555 111 or make a disclosure online to CrimeStoppers.
- Make a disclosure through a third-party disclosure centre:
- Fife Centre for Equalities, New Volunteer House, 16 East Fergus Place, Kirkcaldy, KY1 1XT. Phone: 01592 645310
- Dundee Citizens Advice Bureau, Dundee Central Library, Wellgate Centre, Dundee DD1 1DB. Phone: 01382 307494
- Dundee Voluntary Action, 10 Constitution Road, Dundee DD1 1LL. Phone: 01382 305744
- Other third-party disclosure centres
Support
University support
If you would like additional support, there are many resources available for both students and staff. Please see the how to get support page for more information.
External support
- Contact Victim Support Scotland. If you’ve been affected by a crime, Victim Support offers phone, live chat, and other online support.
- Galop.org - for hate crime against LGBT+ people.
- Hate Crime Scotland provides information and resources relating to crimes motivated by prejudice or hate crime.
- Mygov.scot - Hate crime provides clear guidelines on how to get help.
- Victim Information and Advice – for victims of hate crimes
If someone you know is experiencing discrimination or hate
If you know someone who has experienced or is experiencing discrimination or hate, you can help in the following ways:
- Listen. Taking the time to listen and talk about what has happened can help.
- Signpost options. Ask them if they’re okay to talk through some possible options for support or how they might disclose what has happened. Do not take on the role of a counsellor or therapist.
- Help them make a disclosure. If they want to, and you feel able to, you can help them disclose the incident or incidents.
Resources
- Student harassment and bullying policy (University of St Andrews)
- Dignity and respect at work policy (for staff) (University of St Andrews)
- Citizens Advice - for information on discrimination and hate