Respecting Diversity (Prejudicial Language)

Topic: Respecting Diversity (Prejudicial Language)

This toolkit aims to support and assist education staff, partner agencies and CYP practitioners in their work with children, young people and families.

Introduction

The concept of diversity encompasses acceptance and respect, understanding that each individual is unique with individual differences. The Equality Act 2010 introduced 9 Protected Characteristics that are protected under law in terms of discrimination:

• Race
• Disability
• Gender Reassignment
• Sex (Gender)
• Sexual orientation
• Pregnancy and Maternity
• Marriage and Civil Partnership
• Age
• Religion and Belief (this includes no religion or belief)

With the increasing need to challenge and address hate motivated/targeted behaviour among communities, in particular young people, this toolkit captures expert organisations who can provide information, advice and resources to support work relating to specific protected characteristics.

The information and resources offered aim to support professionals with educating children and young people about respecting individual differences, exploring these in a safe, positive, and nurturing environment to help them better understand each other and move beyond ‘simple tolerance’ to respect, embrace and celebrate the diverse society they are growing up in.

The topic tabs below provide support, information and resources from specialist dedicated organisations.

Law Overview

Incidents which involve acts of violence or hostility directed at people because of who they are, or who someone thinks they are, dealt with by police as a ‘Hate Crime’ or ‘Hate Incident’.

Any act which amounts to a criminal offence can be a hate crime if it was carried out because of hostility or prejudice based on disability, race, religion, transgender identity or sexual orientation.

Incidents related to other personal characteristics, such as age or belonging to an alternative subculture, are not classified as hate crimes under the law. Such incidents can still be reported and will be dealt with in accordance to the offence committed, but will not be prosecuted as hate crimes by the police and the Crown Prosecution Service.

When an incident is classified as a hate crime, the criminal justice system can impose a tougher sentence on the offender under the Criminal Justice Act 2003.

For more information about Hate Crime and reporting it can be found on the Hampshire Constabulary website via the link button below:

PSHE/RSE Curriculum

The resources provided in this section can help with curriculum delivery against the following PSHE/RSE Criteria.

PSHE Criteria KS 1- 2 

• R22. about how to treat themselves and others with respect; how to be polite and courteous
• R23. to recognise the ways in which they are the same and different to others.
• R32. about respecting the differences and similarities between people and recognising what they have in common with others e.g. physically, in personality or background.
• R33. to listen and respond respectfully to a wide range of people, including those whose traditions, beliefs and lifestyles are different to their own.
• L8. about diversity, what it means, the benefit of living in a diverse community about valuing diversity within communities.
• L9. about stereotypes; how they can negatively influence behaviours and attitudes towards others; strategies for challenging stereotypes.
• L10. about prejudice; how to recognise behaviours/actions which discriminate against others; ways of responding to it if witnessed or experienced.

PSHE Criteria KS 3- 4

• R3. about the similarities; differences and diversity among people of different race, culture, ability, sex, gender identity, age and sexual orientation.
• R4.to recognise that sexual attraction and sexuality are diverse
• R34. strategies to challenge all forms of prejudice and discrimination.
• R39. the impact of stereotyping, prejudice and discrimination on individuals and relationships.
• R40. about the unacceptability of prejudice-based language and behaviour, offline and online, including sexism, homophobia, biphobia, transphobia, racism, ableism and faith-based prejudice.
• R41.the need to promote inclusion and challenge discrimination and how to do so safely, including online.

PSHE Criteria KS 5

• R2.to recognise and challenge prejudice and discrimination and understand rights and responsibilities with regard to inclusion.
• R3.to recognise, respect and, if appropriate, challenge the ways different faith or cultural views influence relationships.
• R25. ways to celebrate cultural diversity, promote inclusion and safely challenge prejudice and discrimination.