www.disablism.co.uk - text only version

DISABLISM & HATE CRIMES against disabled people must stop! This includes verbal abuse, threats, violence, bullying, sexual offences, thefts and other types of discrimination.

News reports (see www.disabilitynow.org.uk) highlight the widespread nature of the issue and have shown the deaths of disabled people as a result of hate crimes. Research shows that disabled people face barriers to reporting hate crimes and so often do not report those committed against them.

This is the website version of the 'Hate Crimes against Disabled People' information pack. It explains what hate crimes are and gives information about how to report them in Tower Hamlets, East London.

It has been produced by the Disability Information Training Opportunity (DITO) for the local Community. This was as part of a partnership project with the London Borough of Tower Hamlets Hate Crime Policy and Parnership Team.

Use the site menu on the right handside of this page to move around the site.

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Disablism

Disablism is the disadvantage faced by disabled people. It happens when they are singled out, excluded or treated badly because they have an impairment. It is discriminatory and comes in many shapes and sizes. Hate crimes against disabled people are a form of Disablism.

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Hate crimes against disabled people

Hate crimes against disabled people are a form of Disablism. Hate Crimes are criminal offences where the victim has been targeted because of their race or ethnicity, religion or belief, gender or gender identity, disability, age, sexual orientation or any other aspect of difference.

Hate crimes are violent and horrific and have many forms, they include Verbal abuse, Spitting, Bullying, Violence, Sexual assault, Robbery, Murder, Hate Mail and others.

When a hate crime is committed it hurts. It can make you feel depressed, angry, withdrawn and even suicidal. You might not be able to eat or sleep and be hurt from being attacked. You might become too scared to go outside. Worse of all it makes you feel like you are hated for being a disabled person.

They can happen at anytime and anywhere. At home, in the street or outdoors, at school, college or work. It’s done by strangers, friends, family members or people you didn't see or know they were there.

However, you do not have to suffer and put up with hate crimes. They are unacceptable. Most victims don’t know that they can report hate crimes or sometimes even what they are. Disabled people often don’t do anything because they don’t know what can be done.

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Examples of Hate Crime

‘Nobody is perfect eh! On the bus sometimes going home, I hear them, saying bad things. I know that I am a disabled person. But they shouldn’t do it, they shouldn’t say it. Nobody is perfect eh! Nobody? On the bus they laugh at me, poke fun, make faces, stare. Like I am strange. WHY? I know that I am a disabled person, but they shouldn’t be bad. Nobody’s perfect. Nobody. I told them stop it. I hate it. Hate crimes are bad, they should be stopped’
- Hussain.

‘I used to like the parties. They were great. All the family, friends, others, people I didn’t know. Never mind we all got on I thought. But then, as I turned my back in the corridor, he pushed me down to the floor. He knew, that I wouldn’t be able to get up. Someone told them I was a disabled person. I am stiff, my body is slow, I have to plan things. Physical surprises are a problem for me. A BIG PROBLEM. I was raped. Because I am a disabled person. I never told anyone, I wish I did. It should not of happened’
- Ester.

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REPORT IT!

If you or someone you know have been a victim of hate crime, don’t suffer in silence, Report IT NOW! There are several ways that you can report hate crimes in Tower Hamlets.

CALL the Tower Hamlets freephone 24 hour hate crime reporting line on
0800 138 0521

Report ONLINE at
www.towerhamlets.gov.uk/hatecrime

GO to your local Police Station. Details can be found on the website, www.met.police.uk/towerhamlets/csu.htm.

However, remember that IN AN EMERGENCY ALWAYS DIAL 999.

Also, you report at a Third Party Reporting Centre near you.

DITO are a specialist Third Party Reporting Centre for disabled people in Tower Hamlets and have trained staff to help people report hate crimes committed against them.

Contact DITO*
Disability Information Training Opportunity
Address: 40-50 Southern Grove, Mile End, London E3 4PX. Telephone: 020 7364 6564.
Fax: 020 8880 6771.
SMS: 07951455633
Email: crime@disablism.co.uk
*interpreters available on request
The following statement was given by Tower Hamlets Council and explains their commitment to tackling hate crimes.

‘Tower Hamlets Council is committed to tackling all forms of hate crime. There is no place in Tower Hamlets for hate crime and the Council will use all available powers to take action against offenders. For example, we can send warning letters, injunctions, evictions, provide alarms and security equipment. The Council’s Hate Crime Policy and Partnership Team deliver hate crime projects, provide training and information. If you would like to know more, please call 020 7364 6188’.

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Web Links

The followng web links are to pages containing additional information about hate crimes against disabled people.

DISABILITY NOW - have published a Hate Crime Dossier listing recent hate crimes commited against disabled people.
http://www.disabilitynow.org.uk/the-hate-crime-dossier?searchterm=hate+crime

OUCH - 'its a disability thing'. BBC web source of disability information. The following links to a article about disability hate crime.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/ouch/closeup/disability_crime.shtml

MET POLICE online
http://www.met.police.uk/

CROWN PROSECUTION SERVICE Report - Disability Hate Crime. A report about crimes against disabled people. From the Crown Prosecution Service. Easy read version.

http://www.cps.gov.uk/publications/docs/disability_hate_crime_policy_easy_read_english.doc

HOME OFFICE - The Home Office is the government department responsible for leading the national effort to protect the public from terrorism, crime and anti-social behaviour.

http://www.homeoffice.gov.uk/crime-victims/reducing-crime/hate-crime/

CAPABILITY SCOTLAND - works with disabled people of all ages for a fair and just Scotland by influencing policy, legislation, practice and attitudes.

http://www.capability-scotland.org.uk/hatecrimeagainstdisabledpeople.aspx

VICTIM SUPPORT - Independent charity which helps people cope with the effects of crime. We provide free and confidential support and information to help you deal with your experience.

http://www.victimsupport.org.uk/

DEMOS - Produced the 'Disablism; How to tackle the last prejudice' report.
http://www.demos.co.uk/files/disablism.pdf

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Contact us ...

Contact DITO*
Disability Information Training Opportunity
Address: 40-50 Southern Grove, Mile End, London E3 4PX. Telephone: 020 7364 6564.
Fax: 020 8880 6771.
SMS: 07951455633
Email: crime@disablism.co.uk
*interpreters available on request

DITO is a disabled person organisation in Mile End, East London. The project provides information, advice, peer advocacy, training, employment support, research and consultancy around a wide range of issues concerning disability equality.

For the last 3 years DITO has been promoting awareness about the issue of hate crimes against disabled people and has carried out research and training in the community. DITO is set up as a specialist Third Party Reporting Centre for disabled people in Tower Hamlets and have trained staff to help people report hate crimes committed against them.

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Audio Version

The following link will open and play an audio version of the 'Hate Crimes against Disabled People' information pack. It explains what hate crimes are and gives information about how to report them in Tower Hamlets, East London.

PLAY 'Hate Crimes against Disabled People'

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Downloads

This section contains various downloads. Click on the links to download or open and print.

coming soon

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