illustration for the drivers of inequality

Driver Category 7.2

Lack of equal legal protection against all forms of discrimination and harassment (bullying) based on identity

The state’s failure to protect all citizens equally is considered here, particularly with regard to citizens who need protection from discrimination and harassment based on identity (all forms of hate crime, gender-related discrimination and sexual harassment).

Aspects related to institutionalised identity-based discrimination – where certain groups receive harmful or poorer treatment from the state itself (from the police, when in court and in prison) are also relevant.

Guiding Questions

Discrimination

  • Is there evidence of discrimination based on identity?
  • Is their evidence that this discrimination goes unchallenged?
  • Which groups are most likely to suffer from discrimination (eg women, new migrants, minority ethnic groups, castes, LGBTI, etc.)?
  • Is there evidence of racial discrimination?
  • Is there evidence of institutional racism?
  • Is there evidence of gender discrimination?
  • Is this discrimination overt or covert?
  • Is there adequate legal protection against discrimination?
  • Does any legal protection cover all groups at risk of discrimination?
  • What is the nature of the legal framework for LGBTI people in your country?
  • Is the need for protection against discrimination based on sexual orientation enshrined in law and well accepted?
  • Are consensual same-sex relationships criminalised?
  • If so, is there an active movement for reform of these laws?
  • Is there a specialised national equality body that can monitor policies and practices in relation to discrimination?
  • Is it adequately staffed and resourced?

Harassment and bullying

  • What evidence is there of harassment or bullying based on identity?
  • Which groups are most likely to experience harassment or bullying?
  • Is there any evidence on the characteristics of the perpetrators?
  • What evidence is there of harassment or bullying based on identity in schools?
  • Is there sufficient protection against harassment and bullying in schools?
  • Do teachers and education professionals receive appropriate and adequate training on how to detect bullying and how to deal with incidents of bullying or harassment?
  • Is there sufficient protection against harassment and bullying in the workplace?
  • Does this protect against workers being harassed or bullied by their co-workers and managers?
  • Does this protect workers experiencing harassment or bullying from people they come into contact with during the course of their work?
  • What evidence is there of online harassment or bullying based on identity?
  • How are online incidents dealt with?
  • Is online abuse treated adequately by the police?
  • Do social media companies deal adequately and appropriately with those involved in online harassment and bullying?

Indicators

Potential indicators to monitor the drivers of inequalities in this main driver category

  • Number of reported cases of discrimination and share of cases which lead to prosecution
  • Number of reported incidents of online bullying and harassment by group identity
  • Amount of public spending on information campaigns regarding discrimination
  • Number of staff employed by equality body and annual budget
  • Number of children experiencing bullying in schools
  • Amount of public spending on anti-bulling programmes in schools

Candidate Policies

To see related Candidate Policies in this main driver category please click here.