Discrimination, Harassment, Bullying – Some Definitions

What is discrimination?

Discrimination is the less favourable treatment of a person on grounds of a personal characteristic that they have, or are thought to have.

What types of discrimination are there?

There is direct discrimination and indirect discrimination. Direct discrimination is when a person is treated less favourably than another. Example: A same-sex couple have booked a double room in a B&B. On arrival, they are told that they cannot have a double room because they are a same-sex couple. Indirect discrimination is where a general policy, rule or criterion applies to all people but has a greater impact on a certain group. There is also discrimination by association. Example: A boy is refused a place at a school because his parents are a lesbian couple.

What is harassment?

Harassment occurs where a person’s dignity is violated or an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment has been created for them. Bullying may be seen as a form of harassment. Examples: (1) A trans man is refused service in a shop and the shopkeeper shouts transphobic abuse at him. (2) A bisexual man is subjected to homophobic name-calling by his line manager; when he complains, his line manager threatens violence.

What is victimisation?

Victimisation is when a person who complained about discrimination, or who helps someone else who has taken action against discriminatory treatment is discriminated against because of it. Example: A woman gives evidence for her friend who has taken a case of homophobic discrimination against a gym. The next day she is refused from entering the gym and the manager tells her that they are not offering their services to troublemakers.

If you think you have been discriminated against on grounds of your sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other reason, and you want to do something about it, please feel free to get in touch with us, through our youth workers or our policy team, or contact the Equality and Human Rights Commission’s helpline – helpline staff had LGBT equality training from LGBT Youth Scotland and should be able to help and treat you sensitively:
0845 604 5510
0845 604 5520 (Textphone)
Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 9:00 am-5:00 pm; Wed 9:00 am-8:00 pm