A project team led by Dr Neil Chakraborti, Senior Lecturer at the University of Leicester’s Department of Criminology, has conducted research that is helping to shape public authority responses to targeted violence and harassment across Great Britain.
The research – commissioned by the Equality and Human Rights Commission – surveyed over 200 public authorities including the Police, Probation and Local Authorities from across Great Britain. It provides the first detailed insight into what public authorities are doing to meet the objective of ending violence and harassment targeted at characteristics that are protected under the new public sector equality duty that came into force across Great Britain on 5 April 2011.
Overall the study – Public authority commitment and action to eliminate targeted harassment and violence – presents a mixed picture of public authority commitment and action to eliminate targeted violence and harassment. For instance, while most respondents recognised that they had a role in taking action to help people report targeted violence and harassment, a significant minority did not acknowledge such a role, especially in relation to work with perpetrators, prevention and supporting victims. Equally, the research identified that translating the good intentions expressed in policy into action which made a positive difference to victims of targeted violence and harassment remained a key challenge, particularly in light of the concerns expressed by some respondents in relation to the impact of public sector spending cuts upon their ability to deliver ongoing staff training and awareness-raising.
Mark Hammond, Chief Executive of the Equality and Human Rights Commission, said:
Based on this evidence, we have made a number of recommendations to public authorities so that they can improve the way they tackle targeted violence. We’ve also highlighted the successful approaches have been shown to help turn good intentions into positive outcomes for the victims of targeted violence.
To find out more about these recommendations and how the EHRC believes they can be achieved, visit the dedicated website.
