Religious or faith abuse:
Religious or faith abuse is unacceptable. Everyone has the right to feel safe wherever they are or wherever they live. Leicestershire Constabulary is committed to doing everything possible to prevent such incidents and bring the offenders to justice.
What is a religious or faith incident?
If you have been the victim of religious or faith abuse then Leicestershire Constabulary would like to know about it. Any incident, which is perceived to be motivated by faith or religious hatred by the victim or any other person is a incident of abuse and should be reported. Leicestershire Constabulary will monitor and where appropriate investigate these incidents.
Religious or faith abuse and the law:
If you have been a victim of a religious or faith incident, which can include abuse, harassment or violence, you need not tolerate it. Examples of such hatred are:
Physical Attacks:
Any attack can be a criminal offence even if it leaves no injury, for example throwing a stone, spitting or pushing. Bruising or a minor fracture could be classified as Actual Bodily Harm. A more serious injury, for example broken bones or serious internal injuries, could be classified as Grievous Bodily Harm. This is a serious offence, which should not go unreported.
Verbal or written abuse:
If someone uses abusive words to you or displays any offensive writing that causes you harassment, alarm or distress, they may be committing an offence.
Damage to your property:
This could include, for example, graffiti, scratches and dents on the bodywork of your car, damage to the doors and windows of your house, rips in your clothing or stains left by substances put through your letter box or thrown at doors. If someone damages your property, either intentionally or because they were reckless, they may be guilty of an offence.
Offensive phone calls or mail:
If someone makes an offensive phone call to you or persistently phones you to cause anxiety or annoyance, they may be committing an offence. It may also be an offence to send an object, which is offensive or threatening through the post.
It is important that your report any incidents as soon as possible and provide the police with as much information as possible in order for them to fully investigate.
What will happen when I contact the police?
However the police are contacted, you will be asked to give your name and address. Remember to stay calm and speak clearly. All incidents of religious or faith abuse will be dealt with promptly, effectively, sensitively and courteously.
- Give as much detail as you can.
- A police officer will come and speak to you.
- The officer will provide reassurance, secure evidence and provide crime prevention advice where appropriate.
- An investigating officer will be appointed and you will be told who that officer is.
The more information that you can supply, the better the chances are of catching the culprits.
What support can I expect?
Leicestershire Constabulary will endeavour to:
- Maintain contact with victims of religious or faith abuse until we are satisfied they no longer need our support.
- Ensure that where persons affected by religious or faith abuse are required to attend court as witnesses, they receive support where necessary.
- Enlist the help of other agencies to support you.
Don’t suffer in silence.
Religious or faith abuse can be stopped.
