Bella is a qualified doctor from Ethiopia. She moved to the UK, with her 15 year old daughter Candy, in order to undertake post-graduate studies at a university in Essex.
Bella and Candy were allocated shared accommodation in a privately rented property with a number of other students. This situation was fine until the landlord started to move out many of the students, replacing them with non-student tenants.
Bella and Candy become subject to a protracted campaign of racial harassment by one or more of the new tenants. The abuse included having their food contaminated with urine and spit,
In total Bella and Candy were victimised on over 30 occasions. Only a few incidents were reported but these were not initially recognised as hate crimes.
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having faeces smeared on their property, other property being stolen and both being subjected to harassment and verbal threats of physical violence.
In total Bella and Candy were victimised on over 30 occasions. Only a few incidents were reported but these were not initially recognised as hate crimes. They were dealt with as isolated matters and no prosecutions ensued. Bella became very fearful and lost confidence in the police response. Eventually Bella reported an incident that was picked up as being racially aggravated and passed to the local hate crime officer (HCO).
While conducting a risk assessment with Bella, the HCO became aware of the ongoing nature of the abuse. It was apparent that Bella could not support proceedings while she was still within the situation and fearful for her own and Candy’s safety. Working closely with the council, university authorities, housing providers and the investigating officers, the HCO was able to facilitate a move for Bella and Candy that ensured their safety while enabling Bella to continue her studies and Candy, her schooling. The arrest phase of the investigation was delayed until the family was safe in their new environment in order to prevent any retaliation. One person was subsequently prosecuted.