Discriminatory abuse

Discriminatory abuse includes forms of harassment and slurs or similar treatment because of race, gender and gender identity, age, disability, sexual orientation or religion. The principles of discriminatory abuse are embodied in legislation including the Human Rights Act 1998 and the Equality Act 2010.

Discriminatory abuse exists when values, beliefs or culture result in a misuse of power that denies mainstream opportunities to some groups or individuals. It is the exploitation of a person’s characteristics, which excludes them from opportunities in society, for example, education, health, justice, civic status and protection. It includes discrimination on the basis of age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage, civil partnership, pregnancy, maternity, race, religion or belief, sex or sexual orientation and includes hate crime incidents.

Examples of behaviour: treating a person in a way that is inappropriate to their age and / or cultural background, unequal treatment, verbal abuse, inappropriate use of language, slurs, harassment and deliberate exclusion.

Possible indicators of discriminatory abuse

• Signs of a sub-standard service offered to an individual
• Lack of respect shown to an individual
• Repeated exclusion from rights afforded to citizens such as health, education, employment, criminal justice and civic status
• Failure to follow aspects of a person’s agreed support or care plan that reflects their individual identity, such as ill-treatment or harassment based on a person’s age, sex, sexuality, disability, religious beliefs or ethnic group
• Preventing the adult who needs care and support from having equal access to education, health, justice and access to appropriate services and protection
• Verbal abuse, harassment and maltreatment due to a person's race, gender, disability, age, faith, culture or sexual orientation.