Warwickshire People Encouraged To Report Disability Hate Crime
Local people are being encouraged to report incidents of bullying, abuse and anti-social behaviour against people with disabilities, which may otherwise go unreported.
Warwickshire Police, Warwickshire County Council and NHS Warwickshire have joined together to raise awareness of disability hate crime – a criminal offence motivated by hate, prejudice and hostility against a person with a disability.
Anyone who witnesses or is a victim of disability hate crime can report it using various methods including the National True Vision third party reporting system or Warwickshire Police’s dedicated hate crime helpline on 0845 129 2221.
The first phase of work to raise awareness about how to report the crime was launched today at a meeting of Warwickshire County Councillors. The launch will be followed up with a programme of work involving increasing the number of hate crime reporting centres in the county and police officers working with Community Forums to raise awareness of reporting mechanisms on a local basis.
Whilst there are low levels of reporting disability hate crime currently in the County, some incidents could be going unreported as they are often dismissed as low level bullying or anti-social behaviour.
People with disabilities are often targeted because of their vulnerability. It is extremely important that people close to vulnerable adults and young people assist with reporting such incidents to Police, health and social care partners in order to offer the right level of protection.
Martin Rone-Clarke, Community Cohesion Officer for Warwickshire Police says: “It is essential that we work with partner agencies and together cascade a valuable message to all who are involved in caring for people with disabilities. It is only through understanding the effects of hate crime for a victim and acknowledging our collective responsibility that we can effectively protect disabled vulnerable victims from harm.”
Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Portfolio Holder of Adult, Health and Community Services at Warwickshire County Council, says: “Everyone has the right to live safely in their community and to be treated with dignity and respect.
"Protecting adults with disabilities and preventing abuse is everyone’s responsibility and by bringing together professionals from social care, the police and health we can make a difference for the better for people with disabilities, their families and carers.”
Bryan Stoten, Chairman of NHS Warwickshire, says: “Supporting people with disabilities is integral to our work in the NHS. This means caring for those with a disability in terms of both their health and wellbeing.
"By raising awareness of disability hate crime, I hope that those with disabilities, their friends and neighbours, and the professionals that work with them will feel able to report incidents as they occur.”