August 8, 2024

A Guide from Cumbria CVS

Currently, within the UK there has been a surge of violent and racist abuse against sections of our communities. You may find the following information and guidance useful in forming your organisation’s response and viewpoint.

Communications

Good communications will be key, to make sure your communities know what is happening, and to avoid any vacuum being filled with misinformation, or the fear of a lack of information. Tell people often what you know, as well as what you don’t know. Be as open as you can be. Avoid using social media as your primary way of communicating with at-risk communities.

Use email and direct communication to inform people of the support that is available, especially if it is related to any specific sessions/events you are running. If someone sees or receives threatening or racist messages on their social media channels, or anything signalling a threat to their safety, they should take a screen shot and report it directly to the police. When circulating communications outside your organisation, be clear what status the information has, such as verifying its source or finding corroborating information, including whether it can be posted on social media or not.

Public statements

It may be helpful to release a public statement condemning the violence, and setting out your approach. You can adapt the following short statement for your local context:

As a community and voluntary sector support organisation in Cumbria, we strongly condemn the recent acts of violent disorder that have taken place over the past week. These incidents, driven by racism and xenophobia, are deeply troubling, and we unequivocally denounce the harmful rhetoric that has fuelled such appalling behaviour.

Our mission is to foster inclusivity, strengthen community bonds, and support those in need. We remain committed to creating a more just and compassionate society, where everyone feels safe and valued.

Managing risk for your group’s activities / Ensuring Safety for Staff, Volunteers, and Service Users

The safety of all staff, volunteers, and service users is of paramount importance. In light of recent events, it is crucial to conduct rapid risk assessments and continuously update them as new information emerges. The risks faced by VCFSE (Voluntary, Community, Faith, and Social Enterprise) organisations working in affected communities are both significant and real.

Here are key steps to ensure the well-being of your team:

• Prioritise Welfare: Staff and volunteers are impacted in different ways, so it’s essential to check in regularly with colleagues and address their individual needs. If anyone is concerned about commuting, consider remote work options until the situation stabilises. Pay particular attention to visibly Muslim colleagues, such as Muslim women who may be targeted for wearing the hijab, as well as other racialised communities. Offer a safe space for colleagues to express their feelings and share experiences, especially during this unsettling time.
• Avoid Lone Working: Ensure no one is working alone in any building. Implement or enhance a system to track the location of staff members to prevent lone working in the community.
• Minimise Travel: Limit travel through at-risk areas and encourage remote work where possible. Consider temporarily closing premises until the safety situation becomes clearer.
• Re-evaluate Events: Be ready to cancel large-scale events or in-person meetings if there are any doubts about safety or if clear risks are identified.
  Communicate with Partners: Keep your voluntary sector partners informed about the situation and the reasons behind any decisions. Staying connected with the local community is crucial.
• Coordinate with Authorities: Maintain regular communication with police, local authorities, and other statutory partners to stay updated and aligned in your response.

 

Hope Not Hate have an extensive range of publicly available resources to support community engagement, community events and changing the local narrative:.

Reporting a Hate Crime in Cumbria

The following link is directly to Cumbria Police on ‘How to Report a Hate Crime’:

How to report hate crime | Cumbria Police

If you are scared about an urgent risk, or if you have information to share, call 999 in an emergency or if you are concerned or in doubt, call 101 for non-emergencies.

National organisations who can provide additional support

Crimestoppers – A national charity with a free helpline for reporting crime anonymously.

Tell MAMA – A national project supporting victims of anti-Muslim hate and monitoring anti-Muslim incidents.

Community Security Trust (CST) – A charity protecting British Jews from antisemitism and related threats.

Galop – A national charity providing advice and support to members of the LGBT community.

Additional information and resources

We’re compiling new information and resources at they become available – you can find the latest updates here