We are committed to inclusivity and we take a firm approach to dealing with actions that have a negative impact on the safety and wellbeing of our community.
We promote equality and diversity and are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive environment in which all individuals can reach their full potential. This is central to our commitment to excellence in all we do.
What is hate crime?
The Metropolitan Police defines a hate crime as:
“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 race or perceived race; religion or perceived religion; sexual orientation or perceived sexual orientation; disability or perceived disability and any crime motivated by hostility or prejudice against a person who is transgender or perceived to be transgender.”
It doesn't always include physical violence. Someone using offensive language towards you or harassing you because of who you are, or who they think you are, is also a crime. The same goes for someone posting abusive or offensive messages about you online.
A hate incident is any incident which the victim, or anyone else, thinks is based on someone's prejudice towards them because of their race, religion, sexual orientation, disability or because they are transgender.
Not all hate incidents will amount to criminal offences, but it is equally important that these are reported.
Need help now?
If you are in immediate danger, you can call 999 for the emergency services.
We also have Campus Security, if you are on site:
- Avery Hill: internal phone 9101 or 0208 331 9101
- Greenwich: internal phone 7616 or 0208 331 7616
- Medway: internal phone 3138 or 0208 331 3138
Non-emergency support
If it's not an emergency, you can report incidents and seek support in the following ways:
101 - Non-emergency Police
You can call 101 to report crime and other concerns that do not require an emergency response.
Use 999 when it is an emergency, such as when a crime is in progress, someone suspected of a crime is nearby, when there is danger to life, or when violence is being used or threatened.
Victim Support
If you have been affected by crime, Victim Support provides free, confidential services for anyone in England and Wales, regardless of whether the crime has been reported or how long ago it happened.
Stop Hate UK
Stop Hate UK is a national organisation working to challenge all forms of Hate Crime and discrimination, based on any aspect of an individual's identity.
Stop Hate UK provides independent, confidential, and accessible reporting and support for victims, witnesses and third parties.
True Vision
True Vision allows you to report hate crimes online rather than visiting a police station. They advise that the police record and investigate an offence even if you do not want to give your details.
However, they note that if the police cannot contact you, the ability to prosecute offenders is limited and it will be tougher to get you the support you may need.
Covid-related hate
In 2020, Protection Approaches, Chinese welfare Trust and Newham Chinese Association launched Confronting COVID-related Hate: Standing with Britain’s Chinese, East & South-East Asian Communities.
This supports a nationwide network of British and South-East Asian community organisations in responding to the rising levels of hate crimes. It includes information on what constitutes hate crime and how to report it, and is available in a number of East and South East Asian languages.
Report and Support (university)
If you would like to disclose how you have been affected by any form of harassment, including bullying, discrimination, hate incident/crime, and sexual misconduct, you can do so by using our new Report and Support platform. This enables you to speak to a specially trained advisor who can advise you on reporting options and support available, so that you can make an informed decision on next steps. You can also disclose issues anonymously. Visit the Report and Support website for more information.
Counselling service (university)
We have professional counsellors who are experienced in working with psychological and emotional issues. They abide by the Ethical Framework set out by the British Association for Counselling & Psychotherapy and provide confidential support within a brief therapy model.
Students' Union
Greenwich Students' Union (GSU) is independent from the above support services within the university.
The service is free and confidential.
If you wish to speak to an advisor about an issue related to hate crime, contact the GSU advice team.
How does the University deal with reports?
This depends on the information we receive and the nature of the incident. When we receive reports of unacceptable behaviour, the University investigates and takes appropriate action against those who commit, or commission, hate crime under our Student Disciplinary Procedures.
Where an allegation is under criminal investigation, we may not be able to take disciplinary action against the responding person until these proceedings are over. However, if necessary, we will consider precautionary action to ensure that a full and proper investigation may be carried out and/or to protect the reporting student and others while the allegation is being dealt with as part of a criminal or disciplinary process.
Policy and Procedure
Our Bullying and Harassment Policy explains more about harassment and bullying and sets out our approach to responding to harassment and bullying in our community.
Our Student Disciplinary Procedure explains more about how the University deals with issues of misconduct amongst the University community.