Racial Harrassment
Don't suffer in silence - we can help Every person has the right to be safe from abuse and fear. This page explains what racial harassment and hate crime is, what to do if you are a victim, and advice on other organisations that could help.
Watford Community Housing Trust will not tolerate those who harass, attack or abuse any of our residents because of age, disability, gender or gender identity, race or ethnicity, religion or sexual orientation.
Whatever form it takes, hate crime is not acceptable and we can help.
What is Hate Crime?
Hate crime is any incident that you or any other person believes is motivated by prejudice or hate. It can be against an individual or a group of people.
Incidents of hate crime can be about:
- age
- disability
- gender or gender identity
- race or ethnicity
- religion and belief
- sexual orientation.
And can take many forms including:
- physical attacks
- threatened violence
- offensive graffiti or other written material
- abusive or insulting words or behaviour.
What to do if you are a victim of hate crime
Tell someone:
- Report it to the police – they take hate crime very seriously and have officers who are specially trained to deal with this type of crime.
- Report it to us on 01923 209000 – we can advise you on the choices open to you or take action on your behalf.
- Seek advice – many organisations can give you information and advice. There are contact details for support agencies here.
What can the Trust do to help?
We treat all reports seriously, sympathetically and in confidence.
Rest assured, we will:
- regard all reports of racial harassment and hate crime as high risk and contact you within 24 hours
- investigate all reports thoroughly and provide you with a range of options to deal with the proble
- give you advice and information on other agencies that can help you
- take action against the person harassing you where appropriate
- work with other agencies, such as the Council and support organisations, to help you
- agree an action plan with you, keeping you regularly updated.
Practical steps you can take:
There are a number of steps you can take that will help us to deal with any incident you report:
- give us as much information and supporting evidence as possible, including the details of anyone else who witnessed the incident
- keep a record of all incidents – we can supply diary sheets to help you do this
- keep us updated of any further incidents that take place
- be willing to attend court if you want us to take legal action.
Taking Action against the person responsible:
Watford Community Housing Trust can take action against the person, or persons, harassing you. Depending on your circumstances and what you want, we can:
- interview or write to the person harassing you and ask them to stop
- take legal action to stop them harassing you in your home.
Options or legal action include:
- Injunctions – an order issued by the court to stop the harassment
- Anti-Social Behaviour Orders (ASBOs)
- Possession Orders (evictions).
For us to attend court we will need good evidence and it is likely you will also have to be there.
Other ways we can support you:
Additional security: we may be able to provide you with additional security measures, such as extra locks for your windows or doors, to help you feel safer.
Emergency repairs: you may need repairs carried out because your property has been damaged as a result of violence. We can help with repairing broken windows, removing offensive graffiti, and securing damaged front doors etc.
Please ring us on 01923 209000 if you need to arrange an emergency repair.
Moving home: you may feel you want to move to get away from the harassment. We will consider this if you are at risk. However, we will always liaise with the police before making a decision. Please contact us for more information.
Useful Contact Information
- POLICE: Emergency Telephone 999
In an emergency always call the police. - POLICE: Non emergency 0845 3300 222
For non-emergency incidents you can call this number or you can call the local Hate Crime Investigation Unit on 01923 472085 or 472079. This Unit can also provide you with a ‘True Vision’ self-reporting pack for either Race and Faith Hate Crime or Homophobic and Transphobic Hate Crime.
Hate Crime Officers do not work in uniform and will arrange to meet you at a place of your choice. They will keep you and any witnesses informed of progress throughout and will advise on personal safety and crime prevention measures.
The Hate Crime Investigation unit also deals with forced marriages. - The Sunflower Centre 01923 215180
The Sunflower is a domestic abuse, race and hate crime action Centre. It offers a free, confidential and non-judgemental service. The Centre is open Monday to Friday from 8am – 4pm and can offer help via:- Their Intervention Team – they can offer emotional and practical support, information on a wide range of areas, assistance in gaining legal advice, individual and group support for children affected by domestic abuse, race and hate crimes.
- The Multi Agency Support Team - the Centre links to specialist agencies such as: Relate, Watford Women’s Centre, Victim Support, Homestart, Girlabout, Hertsreach, West Herts Against Crime, Surestart and Watford Women’s Refuge.
- Report-it - www.report-it.org.uk
This website is funded by the police for information around hate crime and reporting incidents of hate crime. - GALOP - www.galop.org.uk
Telephone 020 7704 2040
A website for London’s lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community dedicated to challenging homophobic and transphobic hate crimes. - Victim Support Telephone 0845 30 30 900
Provides free and confidential support to the victims of crime, offering information, practical help and emotional support.
