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Responding to Experiences of Anti-Semitism: Support for Jewish Students at Durham University

Last updated: Tuesday 24 October 2023

Durham University is a multi-cultural, international community that is committed to ensuring that all its members can participate fully in its rich academic and social life.

Sadly, as with other universities in the UK, there are sometimes incidents in which individuals experience exclusion, intimidation or abuse because they are Jewish. Such experiences of Anti-Semitism are unacceptable.

The University and Students’ Union have adopted the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance (IHRA) Definition of Anti-Semitism* and committed to taking effective action to combat Anti-Semitism on campus. 

In this short guide produced by Durham University’s Jewish Society with the University’s Chaplaincy Network, sources of support for students are identified as well as procedures for reporting Anti-Semitic incidents.

*This webpage includes examples of Anti-Semitism, e.g. calling for the killing or harming of Jews, Holocaust denial, and holding Jews collectively responsible for the actions of the state of Israel.

To whom can I talk if I experience an Anti-Semitic incident?

  • Trusted friend – we encourage you to speak first with a trusted friend who will listen sensitively, help you to make sense of the experience and consider whether you wish to report it and seek support
  • Jewish Society (JSoc) – JSoc provides events for Jewish (and non-Jewish interested) students at Durham University, including the popular weekly Friday Night Dinners. JSoc Executive members are able to offer peer support and solidarity to individuals who have experienced Anti-Semitic incidents. They are also able to signpost to formal support:
  • Jewish Chaplain – Rabbi Aaron Lipsey is the University’s Jewish Chaplain and a member of the University’s Chaplaincy Network. He is always willing to provide a listening ear, support and signposting – email: aaron@mychaplaincy.co.uk

To whom in the University can I report an Anti-Semitic incident?

  • College Student Support – as with many issues, your college student support office is a primary source of formal support. These teams vary from college to college – the relevant staff contact for your college can be found at https://www.dur.ac.uk/colleges.se.division/local/studentsupportdirect/college.contacts/
  • Report & Support Tool – this online tool provides a centralised platform for reporting (anonymous or with contact details) a number of different types of incidents: bullying and harassment, hate incidents, sexual misconduct and violence, and domestic abuse. The tool contains information on internal and external sources of support. Reports with contact details will be assigned to a dedicated member of staff who will contact the reporting party within 24 hours or the next working day, where possible – https://reportandsupport.durham.ac.uk/
  • Student Conduct Office – the Student Conduct Office oversees the investigation of allegations of harassment, bullying and sexual misconduct and violence. This includes Anti-Semitism and other racist and hate incidents. The Student Bullying & Harassment Procedure explains how the University deals with this type of complaint. Please email the Student Conduct Office at student.cases@durham.ac.uk if you would like advice or information in relation to making a complaint or if you have made a complaint and you are not happy with the response. See also https://www.dur.ac.uk/colleges.se.division/pvcoffice/conductteam/

To whom outside of the University can I report an Anti-Semitic incident or seek support?

  • Police – if you have witnessed or experienced an Anti-Semitic incident and wish to report it to the Police, you can contact the University’s Police liaison officer: PC 1842 Gary Thompson (gary.thompson@durham.pnn.police.uk). Or you can call the Police: non-emergency – 101, emergency – 999
  • Union of Jewish Students – UJS is a national network of Jewish Societies which includes Durham JSoc. There’s advice about safety on campus on the UJS website at https://www.ujs.org.uk/safety_at_university
    UJS welfare hotline: 0207 424 3288
  • Community Security Trust (CST) – CST is an organisation that protects members of the Jewish community, providing physical security and advice – national emergency number (24-hour): 0800 032 3263. NB CST advise that, if you are in a live and dangerous situation, call the Police and then CST. See also https://cst.org.uk/
  • Jami – Jami is a specialist provider of mental health services in the Jewish community – see https://jamiuk.org/