People with disabilities have to survive hate crimes almost daily, and the world doesn't talk about it
Fourteen thousand two hundred forty-two(14242) incidents of hate crime found reported in Wales and England only at the end of 2022: “an increase of 43% on the previous year.” Not only do these people cannot enjoy a "normal" life, but they are also victims of hate crimes. Is their disability not enough?
Social Carers and Hate Crimes
Approx 14.6 million people are living with a disability all over the United Kingdom. In addition to the significant lack of social carers, people with disabilities have been the victims of hate crimes in a much larger number. It is already well known that nothing is ever enough, and whatever the government does, people will have to wait until they are going to be heard if they are going to be heard.
The pandemic's major crisis on social carers was and still is definitely hard to deal with.
"At one point I had about 80 members of staff, but that has dropped now to about 47; that's a big drop," said Prema Fairbourn, care provider, in an interview.
Not only that large numbers of hate crimes affect disabled people's mental health, but the lack of care workers makes them feel fear dependence. While it is impossible to change the world overnight, one step a day could make a difference. Continue reading to find out how you, too, can help.
Shocking results of Leonard Cheshire and United Response, who conducted a research study, stated :
It is indeed terrifying to know that from approximately 14.6 million, more than half of people suffer in silence because of disability hate crimes, and only 1% of victims get the justice they deserve.
Sadly, these hate crimes come not only from the "uneducated youths" but also from airline companies. Check this.
What the abusers think
The disabilities vary from mental to physical. It is not easy living with one, let alone multiple. But this vulnerability should not be perceived as an advantage to other people. And here it is why mindset and self-education are crucial.
The way every single person in this world has rights, people with disabilities should not be seen as less either. Abusers generally rely on these people's disabilities, thinking they will not speak up or press charges and nothing will happen even if they do. And The National Police Chiefs' Council has shown this already.
But why? Why is this so hard to manage?
"A lot of the time victims don't even know they've been a victim of a disability hate crime", and, as a result, the number of reported incidents could be the "tip of the iceberg," said Cassie Lovelock, part of the community.
Do you have a disability? Do you know anyone living with a disability? Then it is time for you to speak and act. It doesn't cost anything to help.
The meaning of a disability hate crime
A disability hate crime involves using physical or verbal violence against people with disabilities. That includes verbal abuse, vandalism, assault, burglary, intimidatory (also controlling) behaviour and, in extreme cases, murder. This can happen to anyone. When a person is picked on because of their disability, it is called a hate crime. Same as people are targeted for their race, religion, and sexual orientation, disabled people are also targeted. All these are called hate crimes, and they should be, under no circumstances, tolerated by anyone. Keep on reading to find out what you can do.
They should not be helped just because of how these people are affected. And although the shortage of carers is another factor of suffering, besides the mental or physical condition, these are not the primary reasons why they deserve to be helped. They need help first because they are humans, just like the rest of the population.
Options to get help
Here is what you can do if you are a victim or you know someone who could be a victim of a disability hate crime:
1. For those which do not represent an emergency:
a. CALL 101 TO REPORT IT TO THE LOCAL POLICE
b. REPORT ONLINE AT: https://www.report-it.org.uk/
c. CALL S.A.R.I. 0117 942 0060
d. CALL SWAN 033 344 7928
(THESE ARE SUPPORT SERVICES THAT CAN LISTEN TO YOU AND HELP YOU MAKE A DECISION)
2. If you or anyone you know has been harmed or it is an emergency:
a. Dial 999 and get help from the service you need (police, ambulance, fire brigade)
b. Make sure you mention this is a hate crime
If you need to use sign language, you can contact Emergency Services online 24/7. Download the 999 BSL App on your phone, tablet, laptop or computer. Find out more at https://999bsl.co.uk/.
If you are a witness
1. Involve
a. If considered safe, talk to the abuser. Make them understand what a hate crime is.
b. If considered unsafe, and there is a physical emergency where the victim cannot act, call 999. Make sure you mention this is a hate crime.
2. If the situation is neutral, or you feel uncomfortable getting involved, wait until the situation calms down, and then talk to the victim. What can you say: You can ask them if they want to report the case to the police and offer them the information provided above.
They deserve our service just as we deserve support when we need it. And these hate crimes should not exist to make their lives an even greater ordeal.
Check out this interesting short video.
Please share it with your friends and family! Everyone must know this.
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