No Bystanders

NHS Forth Valley has joined partner organisations in pledging support for a new campaign which highlights the damaging effect discriminatory language can have in the workplace.

The ‘No Bystanders’ campaign is the brainchild of Stonewall Scotland, a charity which works to achieve equality and justice for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in schools, the community and workplaces.

Organisers are calling on individuals and organisations to commit to challenge bullying and discrimination wherever they see it, and stand up for fairness and kindness.

Representatives from the health board, together with Clackmannanshire Council, Falkirk Council, Forth Valley College and Police Scotland Forth Valley Division have signed up to show that we are organisations committed to tackling discrimination in its many forms, including homophobia, biphobia and transphobia.

NHS Forth Valley’s Equality and Diversity Manager Lynn Waddell said: “This promotes our continuing zero tolerance approach to discrimination, so that staff can see the support from their colleagues who have made both a personal and professional commitment to challenging bullying and unfair treatment.”

The associated social media campaign ‘#NoBystanders’ is also being supported by public sector colleagues in a bid to encourage others to ‘take the pledge’ and sign up to end discrimination. You can take the pledge at http://nobystanders.org.uk/ .

In Forth Valley, public sector partners are members of the Multi Agency Hate Response Strategy (MAHRS) group and deal with all reported hate crimes. For further information on the MAHRS Group go to www.stophateincentralscotland.org.uk.

If you wish to report any Hate Incident or Hate Crime you can contact the police on 101 or via www.scotland.police.uk