01 Dec 2023

Diversity Lens - Issue 202

Diversity Lens - Issue 133 Diversity Lens - Issue 132 Diversity Lens - Issue 131

Friends, do you think the police can ever really change?

When public trust is at an all-time low, battered by report after report of “bad apples,” misconduct, racism, misogyny, and violence, does any and all support of police operations make us complicit? Or can we try to work within the system to better shape the police of tomorrow?

This is something we at Diversifying Group (and me personally) have been grappling with for some time. When first approached to work with Police Now, a charity committed to addressing the police’s challenges head-on, I quite honestly recoiled at the idea. But the more I spoke to Police Now, the more I understood how important their work is. We always strive to “be the change we want to see” - and here was an opportunity to do so. Our hope is that in the long-term, the new leaders developed by Police Now will have a transformative impact on the most vulnerable communities, leading with compassion and backed up by robust training.

That is why we’re promoting their National Graduate Leadership Programme, open for applications now. Have you got a different perspective? We welcome your feedback as always.

- Faustine (Head of Recruitment Marketing & Employer Branding)

QUICK FIRE NEWS 🧨

🇱🇻 Latvia legalises same-sex civil partnerships

👏 Over half of ministers women in Spanish government

👀 Lack of trust in government adversely affected minorities

🌈 Big Brother blazed the trail for LGBTQ+ representation on TV

⚽️ Football clubs fail to meet diversity targets

💒 First same-sex marriage in Nepal

Are you a business that champions Diversity and Inclusion? 🦸

We love partnering with brands who want to do good and grow their business at the same time. Share your story with an engaged readership of nearly 9,000 diverse subscribers. Get in touch!

LET'S GET INTO IT 🤓

LGBTQ+ people’s safety on London transport 🚊

What's happening?

London TravelWatch have collaborated with Galop to conduct research into the safety of LGBTQIA+ people on London transport.

What're the key findings? Fundamentally, the report found that LGBTQIA+ people have serious concerns about their safety when travelling around London.

66% reported experiencing victimisation on public transport in the last year 39% felt London had become less safe in the last 5 years Over 68% said a general anti-LGBTQ+ feeling in society makes them feel unsafe

The research also looks at how other identities intersect with these experiences. Cis and trans women, people of colour, and disabled people report higher feelings of discomfort than cis men.

Yani's Take:

For many of us in the LGBTQ+ community the findings of this report are unsurprising. According to the report, LB+ cis women feel the most unsafe. I can still recall a detailed picture of the 2019 bus attack on a Lesbian couple travelling towards Camden. I remember a freshly-out baby bisexual me, reading that report and feeling hyperaware of public transport. It’s not to say that I didn’t before, because as a woman travelling at night, you have your wits about you, but having your sexuality as another reason for hate, adds to that sense of unease.

Trans people are second in feeling unsafe. Again, unsurprising given recent transphobic rhetoric from the media and UK leaders, resulting in spikes in hate crimes across many areas of public life. (Home Office, 2023)

Despite the report being unsurprising, it is a valuable tool in hearing the voices of LGBTQ+ communities and giving stats to people who gaslit them of their experiences. The stats, the stories, and the recommendations are all there. Now we act.

-Yani (D&I Consultant)

The UK is experiencing a public toilet crisis 🚽

The Big Issue reports

Ever been stuck out and about when nature calls? The dramatic decline in public toilets affects all of us, but disabled and homeless people experience the worst of it.

Where have the toilets gone? The UK has never been a shining example of public toilet facilities, but since 2010 we have lost nearly 60% of that limited supply. Most were a sacrifice to budget cuts, and some haven't reopened since the pandemic. There is no legal requirement to provide bathrooms but it is public decency.

What is the impact? Many vulnerable people don't feel comfortable leaving the house if they won't have access to a toilet nearby, severely isolating them. Bladder care company Jude found that 67% of women and half of men have deliberately dehydrated themselves to avoid needing the toilet when out. This can lead to health issues such as urinary tract infections and kidney problems. As human beings we need to expel waste, it's a necessity to life and easy access to toilets should be the bare minimum.

EU employees can be banned from wearing headscarves

Why?

A top EU court has ruled that wearing signs of religious beliefs can lawfully be prohibited in the workplace. This ruling comes after a case in Belgium where an employee was told she could not wear her hijab. Employers justify this by aiming for "political, philosophical and religious neutrality," thought she was rarely in contact with customers.

What does this mean? The bans, which overwhelmingly affect women, have been described by some as attacks on religious freedom, and have led to some quitting their jobs. In the UK currently, there are no bans on headscarves or other religious symbols.

THIS WEEK WE'RE LOVING ✨

🍬 New Barbie honouring the first female Cherokee principal chief

🌈 A new community for queer people in Bristol

🍝 The Pope dining on pasta with trans women

🤩 Our Founder's inspirational story

National Graduate Leadership Programme

📍London 💰£36,775+ ⏳Closes Feb 2024

Who are they? Police Now was created in 2014 by a small group of junior frontline police officers who wanted to serve communities better; by building on policing’s strengths and challenging its weaknesses. They work to recruit, develop and inspire outstanding and diverse individuals to be leaders in society and on the policing frontline to drive positive change.  

Why apply? This two-year programme offers a £36,775 salary from day one while graduates train to become neighbourhood police officers, rising to £37,975 on week 30. You’ll be supported by a Performance and Development Coach throughout the training and get the opportunity to work on big societal issues. Through this programme, you can help create safer communities and build a truly inclusive and trustworthy police service.

Is this the job for you? If you’re a recent grad or on-track to graduate by July 2024 and want to make a positive change on London communities, head to Diversifying.io to apply now! 👇

Apply now

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