The Equality Act 2010 came into force on the 1st Oct 2010. It expanded the scope of discrimination law or unfair treatment on the basis of personal characteristics. The act defines 9 protected characteristics; age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex and sexual orientation.
In order to help schools meet their statutory duties under Safeguarding and RSHE guidance, PRfE.education includes prejudice behaviours in addition to those listed in the Equality Act. This will enable schools to log and review incidents which reflect broader social trends. For example, this allows capture of behaviours which may or may not reveal bullying or escalate into it.
The 9 Protected Characteristics
Disability
People who have or are perceived to have a disability or special educational need. Under the Equality Act, a disability is defined as, 'any physical or mental impairment that has a substantial and long term effect on a person's ability to carry out normal day to day activities'.
Age
People of a particular age, a range of ages or age group, unless the treatment can be justified.
Sexual Orientation
People with or perceived to have an emotional, romantic and/or sexual attraction to another person. This may be towards those of same sex and/or opposite sex. It relates to feelings, actions, and manifestations.
Religion or Belief
People of any recognised faiths and those who do not follow any religion or belief system.
Gender Reassignment
People who decide to live in the gender they identify as rather than that assigned at birth (trans), are perceived to be trans or are in the process of transitioning. At birth our gender is determined by our genitalia while our gender identity is personal to us.
Sex
People who are of a particular sex, or not, or are perceived in this way.
Marital or Civil Partnership Status
People of a marital status or perceived marital status, between a man and a woman or a same sex couple.
Pregnancy and Maternity
People who are, have been or are perceived to be pregnant, those with pregnancy-related sickness, breastfeeding and/or those who have recently given birth.
Race
People of a particular racial or ethnic group, typically one which is in a minority but also includes nationality or national identity, skin colour or caste.
Examples of Behaviours, Actions and Inactions Which are Related to the PRfE Categories
It is important to consider, that prejudice related incidents may include those which are not specifically targeted, the aim is to recognise behaviours which may violate a person's dignity, intimidate, degrade, humiliate and / or cause offense, directly or indirectly.
Body Shaming
Behaviours based on body size, shape or appearance. This might be about one's self, or others and covers a broad scope of physical characteristics.
Misogyny, Misandry or Sexism
Behaviours against women, against men or targeting a person's sex.
Ageism
Behaviours against persons of a particular or perceived age, range of ages or age group, affecting all ages.
Transphobia
Behaviours against persons who identify as, are perceived to be trans; or who are associated with those who are trans.
Homophobia/Biphobia
Behaviours against persons who identify as, are perceived to be or are associated with those who identify as gay and/or other sexual orientations.
Sexual Harassement or Sexual Bullying
Behaviours of a sexual nature which may include unwanted verbal, non-verbal or physical conduct.
How to recognise a prejudiced related incident to ensure a consistent approach.
When does a Prejudice Related Incident become a Hate Crime or a Potential Hate Incident and what to do, when.
An overview of the protected characteristics and targeted behaviours.
Find out more from this short Equality and Human Rights Commission video
Our vision is to ensure that every child has the best possible start in life, so they can fulfil their potential and become happy, healthy and productive citizens.
We believe that recording prejudice-related incidents demonstrates a pro-active and positive ethos, where everyone is valued, and prejudice and discrimination are not accepted.
Identifying trends enables preventative rather than reactive work to be carried out and produce more relevant and better targeted programmes of education.
The content herein, aims to help you get the most from PRfE.education
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