Equity

Protected Characteristic

Explanation

UNCRC Article

Age

A particular age group (for example, 18 year olds) or range of ages (for example 18 to 30 year olds).

2, 3, 4, 12, 13, 15, 16, 19, 25*, 27, 28, 29, 31, 39

Disability

A physical or mental impairment which has a substantial and long-term adverse effect on that person's ability to carry out normal day-to-day activities.

2, 3, 4, 12, 13, 15, 16, 19, 23, 25*, 27, 28, 29, 31, 39

Gender reassignment

Proposing to reassign gender, is undergoing a process to reassign gender, or has completed this process.

2, 3, 4, 12, 13, 15, 16, 19, 25*, 27, 28, 29, 31, 39

Marriage and civil partnership

Legally married or in a civil partnership. Marriage can either be between a man and a woman, or between partners of the same sex.

2, 3, 4, 12, 13, 15, 16, 19, 25*, 27, 28, 29, 31, 39

Pregnancy and maternity

Protection against maternity discrimination.

2, 3, 4, 12, 13, 15, 16, 18, 19, 25*, 27, 28, 29, 31, 39

Race

Race, colour, nationality (including citizenship) ethnic or national origins. This includes Gypsy Travellers.

2, 3, 4, 12, 13, 15, 16, 19, 25*, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 39

Religion or belief

Religion, including a lack of religion. Belief refers to any religious or philosophical belief and includes a lack of belief.

2, 3, 4, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 19, 25*, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 39

Sex

Being a man or a woman.

2, 3, 4, 12, 13, 15, 16, 19, 25*, 27, 28, 29, 31, 39

Sexual Orientation

Heterosexual, gay, lesbian or bisexual, or perceived to have a particular sexual orientation, or connected to someone who has a particular sexual orientation.

2, 3, 4, 12, 13, 15, 16, 19, 25*, 27, 28, 29, 31, 39

Direct discrimination

Occurs when someone is treated less favourably than another person because of a protected characteristic (age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief, sex sexual orientation).

Discrimination by association

Is direct discrimination against someone because they associate with another person who possesses a protected characteristic.

Perception discrimination

Is direct discrimination against an individual because others think they possess a particular protected characteristic. It applies even if the person does not actually possess that characteristic.

Indirect Discrimination

Occurs when a condition, provision, policy or practice applies to everyone but particularly disadvantages people who share a protected characteristic and it cannot be shown to be a proportionate means of achieving a legitimate aim.

Discrimination arising from disability

Occurs when you treat a disabled person unfavourably because of something connected with their disability and cannot justify such treatment. Discrimination arising from disability is different from direct and indirect discrimination.

Harassment

Occurs when a person is subject to "unwanted conduct related to a relevant protected characteristic, which has the purpose or effect of violating an individual's dignity or creating an intimidating, hostile, degrading, humiliating or offensive environment for that individual".

Victimisation

Occurs when an individual is subject to a detriment because they have made an allegation of, or given evidence about, the treatment of any individual (including themselves) who has been subject to any of the above.

Hate Crime

A crime motivated by malice or ill-will towards individuals because of their actual or perceived disability, race, religion, sexual orientation or transgender identity.