Equality Impact Assessment - Harassment Policy and Procedure (Includes Racial Harassment)

Function being assessed:

Harassment Policy and Procedure ( includes Racial Harassment)

Is this a new function or a review of an existing function?

Review of existing function

What are the aims/purpose of the function?

To inform and provide appropriate support for victims of harassment and taking necessary action against the perpetrators of harassment.

To make a commitment on tackling Harassment within the Housing Departments’ resident portfolio

To coordinate support with other partner agencies and RBK departments for victims and all members of the household and to increase safety measures for them.

The policy and procedure contains service assurances for our residents on how they would supported.

The policy supports the Council in meeting its responsibilities under the equality legislations

Is the function designed to meet specific needs such as the needs of minority ethnic groups, older people, disabled people etc?

The Harassment Policy and Procedure is to provide support to our Residents who are victims of abuse, specifically because of their gender, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion or beliefs and their ethnicity or race.

Harassment can affect any individuals within society. Some specific groups are more vulnerable to harassment especially victims of racial harassment. This policy is cross cutting across ethnicity, age, gender, sexuality, disability, religion or beliefs.

It is important to be aware that victims can suffer greater abuse because of their mental health, learning disabilities, religion or beliefs they practise.

What information has been gathered on this function? (Indicate the type of information gathered e.g. statistics, consultation, other monitoring information)? Attach a summary or refer to where the evidence can be found.

Incidents are monitored on a monthly basis and collected for General Needs, Temporary Housing and Private Sector Support and Advice.

Racist incidents are reported on a quarterly basis to the Racist Incident Forum, chaired by Kingston REC (KREC) and which reports directly to the Hate Crime Task Group, a sub group of the Safer Kingston Partnership.

The action plan for this Task Group includes a number of targets to encourage the reporting of incidents and provide a range of support for victims.

Housing Services support the work of the Racist Incident 1 Stop Shop, managed by KREC and this includes housing advice and support to all residents of the borough including in our own stock. In addition individual cases may require casework conferences involving a number of support agencies.

See attachment for statistical information

Racial Harassment - Ethnic Origin Statistics for the General Needs Housing – Jan 07 to Dec 07.

6 cases in total of which

1 Chinese

2 Black African

2 Indian

1 unknown

Data on victims of Racial Harassment 2008

Ethnic origin code	Sex	Sexuality	Health & Disability	Language	Religion & Belief	Age Group
AO	F	H	N	Punjabi	S	A
OEO	F	H	M	Arabic	M	C
	M	H	M		M	B

Does your analysis of the information show different outcomes for different groups (higher or lower uptake/failure to access/receive a poorer or inferior service)? If yes, indicate which groups and which aspects of the policy or function contribute to inequality?

With the small number of cases this would prove somewhat difficult to assess. However at present the cases brought to our attention are racial harassment cases only.

All victims will be treated in a consistent manner through the individual implementation of the policy and procedure in each case. The outcomes can be different due to the circumstances and the level of evidence and information collected.

Overall the policy and procedure is to ensure that the Council does not tolerate harassment and will take necessary action against the perpetrators.

Are these differences justified (e.g. are there legislative or other constraints)? If they are, explain in what way.

The policy and procedure will ensure that our services are delivered in an equitable, fair and consistent way. We tend to see a larger proportion of residents from the Black and Minority Ethnic communities who are victims of racial harassment.

What action needs to be taken as a result of this Equality Impact Assessment to address any detrimental impacts or meet previously unidentified need? Include here any reasonable adjustments for access by disabled people. Include dates by which action will be taken. Attach an action plan if necessary.

To increase confidence of residents to report harassment they suffer within the equality strands
Procedure requires reviewing and then review and report on a proactive basis following this, preferably annually
Equalities training – November and December 2008.
Data collection is only recorded on an ethnic basis up to Nov 2007. From Nov 2007 all equality strands will be monitored.
Monthly statistic production from November 2007
Recording of outcomes of cases needs to be monitored
Recording of location of cases needs to be monitored
Quarterly agenda item for team meetings to analysis, commencing January 2009.
Senior Estate Managers to report to Head of Estate Services on quarterly basis following analysis.
Identified failures or deficiencies in this service to be reported to Head of Housing Management along with action plan towards improvement.
To feed information into the Racial Incident Forum and the Hate Crime Policy group.
To inform the Safer Kingston Partnership and its work

When will you evaluate the impact of action taken? Give review dates.

Quarterly work with data collection from Nov 2007
Quarterly analysis through team meetings from then on January 2009
Any findings from initial analysis to be reported to Head of Housing Management January 2009
April 2009 – assessment of analytical analysis through team meetings
To review and report on the equality strands on annual basis.

Assessment completed by:

Anna Clarke

Head of Estate Services

September 2008