I have experienced hate crime or harassment

Has the attacker gone? If not, can you make yourself safe, contact a friend or family member or call the police? If you are in any danger or seriously injured call 999 immediately.

If possible, try and find somewhere you feel safe. 

If you need a safe space or support from the University, on or off campus, call the Emergency Response Team on 07854 199020. 

This number is available 24 hours a day for University Staff, University Students or other informants who need to report a serious incident that requires immediate and urgent response by the University. 

The Safe Taxi Scheme. This scheme has been set up so that students can get home safely - if you don't have any cash, you can pay the fare the next day. Call Rainbow City Taxis on 01224 26 22 22 and order a taxi using the 'Safe Taxi' account name, and tell the operator your University and your student number.

 

If you have any physical symptoms after an attack you should seek medical help. 

 

If this is more than a very minor injury, or if you were unconscious for even a short time, you should go to Accident and Emergency. If you can, it may be helpful to bring a friend or family member with you.

 

 

 

The Robert Gordon University is committed to creating and promoting a working and learning environment where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. We aim to support an inclusive culture in which differences are respected and any form of bullying, harassment or victimisation is considered to be unacceptable.

Whenever an incident is reported we will take it seriously, deal with it promptly and ensure that no-one is subjected to victimisation as a result of reporting. If anyone is found in breach or our University Dignity at Work and Study Policy we will utilise our existing University disciplinary procedures if appropriate.

 

There are a number of support services you can call or visit.

Although ‘hate crime’ is not in itself a criminal offence, the term is used to describe behaviour which is both criminal and rooted in prejudice. 

In Scotland, the law currently recognises hate crimes as motivated by prejudice for statutory aggravations based on, and considered under, the following criminal offences: 

Prejudice or hostility also lies at the heart of some other offences which are often described as ‘hate crimes’. These are sometimes referred to as standalone hate crime offences and they criminalise behaviour specifically because it is motivated by racial prejudice. Currently, these standalone offences include: 

Online hate crime is completely unacceptable. What is illegal offline is illegal online.

 

If you have been a victim of hate crime, please report your concerns to Police Scotland at your local police station, via 101, online or via 999 if it is an emergency.

 

You can also report the incident anonymously by calling crime stoppers at any point on 0800 555 111

 

By reporting to the police:

·         You may well put a stop to the behaviour

·         You will help the police and partners build a picture of the nature and extent of hate crime in your area

·         You will help the police and partners understand where their resources need to be focused

·         If you are a victim, you will get access to support and advice

·         You could prevent further incidents happening in the future

·         You could stop minor incidents escalating to more serious ones

·         You will raise awareness of the issue and lead to positive changes in your community

·         Your information may lead to an arrest or conviction

In some cases victims/witnesses of Hate Crime do not feel comfortable reporting the matter directly to the Police and may be more comfortable reporting it to someone they are familiar with.

To ensure all victims/witnesses are able to report Hate Crimes, Police Scotland works in partnership with a wide variety of partners who perform the role of 3rd Party Reporting Centres. Staff within 3rd Party Reporting Centres have been trained to assist a victim or witness in submitting a report to the police and can make such a report on the victim/witnesses behalf.

RGU is a Third Party Reporting Centre. Other examples of 3rd Party Reporting Centres participating in the scheme range from Housing Associations to Victim Support offices and Voluntary Groups.  Find your nearest alternative Third Party Reporting Centre.