Anti-Harassment Club Equality and Diversity Statement 13.07.2020
AIMS
Anti-Harassment Club (AHC) is currently open to any one living in Brighton and Hove. Our aim is to raise awareness of, combat and eradicate all forms of street harassment across the UK, to make our streets a kinder, safer and more welcoming place.
We want to ensure our group maintains an atmosphere of friendship, respect and care for each other. In particular, we are committed to treating every member equally and with respect, regardless of their age, disability, actual or perceived gender, sexual orientation, race, HIV status, class, criminal convictions, pregnancy, religion or belief. We aim to design our activities, services and decision making processes specifically to encourage and support participation from people who face disadvantage in society, including women, BME people, disabled people, LGBTQ people, and people on low incomes.”
ACCESSIBILITY
Currently all our meetings are held via Zoom and the timing of meetings is flexible so as to fit in with the schedules of all members. In the event that a deaf individual joined our committees we would give 48 hours notice of the meeting to ensure that a translator is present. Equally we will ensure flexible meeting times to allow as many members as possible to attend meetings.
Any future events are to be held in venues that are accessible to wheelchair users. When there are more than 40 people at an event we aim to use a PA system and a hearing loop.
We are committed to ensuring any member of AHC is able to attend our activities, so we will reassess our access requirements to meet the needs of new members as and when issues may arise.
DIVERSITY
The AHC belongs equally to all members. We aim to organise a range of events and activities to suit the interests and meet the needs of a wide variety of people. AHC should be open to new ideas, and particularly prioritise opportunities for members to share how their intersectionality affects them.
We actively seek to encourage those of underrepresented and minority groups to join the movement.
INCLUSION AND RESPECT
All members are bound by the requirements of the Equality Act 2010. In addition, Members are expected to embody and promote equality in their actions and behaviours. Every member of AHC should be made to feel equally welcome and included at all meetings and events.
Sexist, racist, homophobic, transphobic or otherwise offensive and inflammatory remarks and behaviour are not acceptable. These constitute harassment and have no place in the association. Any victim-blaming behaviour towards individuals seeking support will not be tolerated.
DEALING WITH DISCRIMINATION AND HARASSMENT
If any individual or group feels they have been discriminated against by an AHC member or harassed at an AHC event they should raise this with the committee via our email address antiharassmentclub@gmail.com
The committee will investigate the complaint, listening to all members involved. (If the complaint is against a committee member, that member will not be part of conducting the investigation).
If the complaint is against a particular individual, this person will have the opportunity to express their point of view, accompanied by a friend. The person making the complaint will also have this opportunity.
If the complaint is against AHC as a whole, the Committee must work to ensure that such discrimination is not repeated in the future, and must inform the members of how they propose to do this.
Any decision to exclude a person from the organisation due to discriminatory or harassing behaviour will be made with reference to the AHC code of conduct. AHC’s first priority is to support people who feel they have been harassed or discriminated against, we will not victimise or treat them less well because they have raised this.