The head of the Charity Commission has warned that a surge in death and rape threats, harassment, and violence has created a ‘culture of fear’ at charities serving women and refugees, as well as at mosques, churches and synagogues. Mark Simms, the interim chair, said he feared growing hostility towards charity staff, volunteers and beneficiaries, both online and on the streets, was becoming normalised and risked eroding civilised values.
His warning comes as the commission issues formal guidance advising charities on how to protect voluntary workers exposed to what it calls ‘unacceptable’ personal risks. A range of charities report being targeted by extremists amid a rise in toxic political rhetoric around immigration. Incidents of violence and vandalism, and increased security measures to combat them, are regarded by some as the new normal.
Refugee and asylum seeker charities, Muslim, Jewish and ethnic minority organisations, faith groups, women’s groups, youth bodies, homelessness charities and charity shops have reported increasing incidents since the Southport riots in 2024. Simms will say in a speech: ‘Over recent months, we’ve seen charity workers verbally and physically abused on the streets. We’ve heard of death threats, threats of sexual assault, witnessed damage and vandalism done to charity offices.’
Simms added: ‘What I have found especially disturbing is how little surprise these events have sparked beyond the sector itself. If we accept as normal charity workers being abused on the street, their families threatened with violence, what will shock us?’ He compared the normalisation to an eroding shoreline, warning that if society does not pay attention, it may find itself at the edge of a cliff.
The commission says it would be ‘sympathetic’ to charities asking to have trustees’ names removed from the public register where there is evidence they may be targeted. Its new guidance focuses on the ‘current hostile environment’ and advises charities to keep security under regular review, including secure doors and alternative exit routes.
The National Council for Voluntary Organisations is due to publish a report revealing that some charities describe existing in a culture of fear, with staff nervous about travelling to work and beneficiaries afraid to walk the streets. Simms also hit out at activists who attempt to ‘weaponise the legitimate work of charities’ through the commission’s complaints system, saying the commission will not indulge those who seek to misuse it to further political ends.
