More than one in four charities has been impacted by polarisation and division in society, such as vandalism and threats to staff, trustees and volunteers, research published by the Charity Commission has found.

The research of trustee experiences found that 27% had experienced at least one impact of challenges in the social environment, also including the spread of misinformation and protests at their locations.

Human rights, religious and equality charities are among the worst affected, found the research, which was carried out by BMG Research.

One in 20 had have to change or stop some of their activities as a result But this proportion increases to more than one in five among human rights, religious, racial harmony, diversity and equality charities.

While across all charities one in 25 have been the victim of vandalism, this rises to almost one in 10 among human rights, religious, racial harmony, diversity and equality charities.

One in 33 among all charities have been the victim of someone spreading misinformation about the charity. Animal welfare charities are particularly impacted by this, with around one in 12 affected.

Animal welfare charities are also more likely to report threats in person to their staff, trustees and volunteers. Around one in 12 are impacted by this, compared to one in 50 among all charities.

Also, one in 25 human rights, religious and racial harmony, and equality and diversity charities have experienced protests outside their locations, four times as many as for other charities.

Trustees, staff and volunteers at one in 16 human rights, religious and equality charities have experienced online threats, compared to one in 100 among all charities, the survey also found.

“We have heard deeply concerning accounts of staff being threatened, intimidated, and left afraid simply for doing their jobs,” said Charity Commission assistant director of policy Rachel Wenstone.

“These findings show those experiences are not isolated: a significant minority of charities are now operating in an environment marked by hostility and threat. Ultimately, this impacts on the people charities are there to help, with some charities changing or curtailing their services as a result.”

She added: Charities are not above criticism or scrutiny. The public is entitled to question, challenge and choose which causes to support.

“But disagreement should never cross the line into abuse, intimidation or threats of violence, and registered charities should be enabled to pursue their legitimate, legal purposes.

“We will continue to monitor these trends closely and encourage charities to report serious incidents to us.

Concerns around rise of far-right

A survey released in May found that “cultures of timidity and reticence’ are holding back charities from countering the rising threat of far-right views in the UK.

Meanwhile, campaigning organisation Sheila McKechnie Foundation (SMK)’s annual report warned in March that the rise of the far right as well as societal division, misinformation and hate are among specific challenges charity campaigners face.

Charities responding to an NCVO survey last year “described rising levels of fear, intimidation and online hate”. They also warned of a “pervasive climate of fear”.

Banking issues

The regulator’s commissioned survey of trustees also found that banking issues “continue to be present for a significant minority”.

It found that a third of trustees are reporting banking related issues over the last year, including administrative problems and difficulty access accounts.

“Most issues are slow to resolve, often taking a few months, and a significant minority remain unresolved, representing a significant source of friction that can affect charities’ ability to operate effectively,” warns the Commission.

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