145. Consideration should also be given to providing training for staff on the nature
and context of antisemitism. The UJS has offered to deliver such training.
146. There is also a clear role for universities to remain in close contact with local
Jewish community leaders and other agencies such as the local authority. This is
crucial in terms of understanding antisemitism that is occurring in the local
community and in making use of available support for students affected by an
incident. University chaplains may also be aware of incidents that students have
not reported formally to their university.
147. Incidents of antisemitism (or fears of incidents arising) may also increase in
response to global events. It is therefore important for universities to reach out
to their student body in response to any global events that may increase the risk
of antisemitism occurring.
ANTI-MUSLIM HATE CRIME AND HARASSMENT
148. There are a number of steps universities can take to ensure an effective and
tailored response to anti-Muslim hate crime or harassment. In the first instance,
the Tell MAMA data may help universities to develop a better understanding of
the occurrence of incidents in the area and the circumstances under which they
have occurred.
149. For example, the recorded data does not reveal how many incidents involved
Muslim university students or how many took place on university campuses. It
is therefore difficult to assess the scale of the problem in the UK higher
education sector. However, the Tell MAMA findings are still relevant to the
higher education sector and provide useful insights for universities when
considering both prevention and response. An awareness of this data may help
to demonstrate the potential impact on the more localised university
community.
150. The most recent Tell MAMA data suggests that within London, incidents
frequently occur in areas with high access to public transport and close to major
roads. Awareness of this is important for understanding how and when students
may be affected. This also underlines the importance of developing and
maintaining close links with local religious and community leaders and other
agencies such as the local authority. This is important in terms of understanding
anti-Muslim hate crime and harassment occurring in the local community and
in making use of available local support for students affected by an incident.
151. Taking steps to raise awareness of the seriousness with which incidents will be
treated is therefore essential as is ensuring a variety of reporting mechanisms.
These steps may include clear information on how the university will respond to
any report. Such activity should also be underpinned by the university’s
corporate governance arrangements enabling those in a governance role to track
trends in incidents and review the effectiveness of the institution’s prevention
activities and response.
152. Incidents of anti-Muslim hate crime and harassment (or fears of incidents
arising) may also increase in response to global events. It is therefore important
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