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Introduction Unfortunately we live in a society where people experience hate crime for being different. In England and Wales, 6,263 disability hate crimes were reported in 2018 -19. In 2018, Bromley Together had a hate crime conference so members could talk about their experiences. In December 2018, one member spoke about an incident on a bus. We put this video on Facebook.

https://youtu.be/fIRQsBeL14s

If you are online, you can see the video by clicking the box to the left. So in November 2019, Bromley Together organised a hate crime conference so that our members could speak up. We collected their views and comments in this report so we can share this with you. It is important to Bromley Together and our members that we speak up about this. No one should have to put up with this.

What the members say. Who do you go to for advice and information?  Family, friends, boss, support group, staff, police. Internet

  Look for an info desk if you’re 

in the shopping centre. Could ask for direction to police station. Citizens advice.

  The police/safety neighbour      

hood officers. Group supporters, Members Monthly Meeting LADIES/ LAD’S GROUP, AGE UK. Police station. Day centre support. Citizens Advice Bureau. Friends/group chat. Council (safeguarding team). Group supporter.

What the members say. What emotions do you go through when hearing about hate crime?

     

Angry, sad, scared, worried. Makes you wonder why anxious Vulnerable, paranoid not confident Feel sorry for the person who committed crime - they are ignorant Sometimes prejudice gets passed on down generations. Scared.

  Worried about what will happen next. Frightened, upset, crying.

  Helpless.  Vulnerable.  Worrying-panicked-can stop



you from doing what you want to do; may stop from going out alone- meting, shopping. Work-money-financial difficulties-stop from social life; football, nice things. 4

What the members say. Does the fear of hate crime change you from doing what you want to do?  Yes, a little  It can change your outlook on 

society It can make you feel there are more bad people that good in the world. Can make you anxious.

  Can stop you going to some  

places. Change the time of training: when busses are full of students People might feel safer travelling in a group rather than on their own. Using dial ride.

  Using special seats on trans

ports. Seat near the front/ near the driver.

What the members say. Have you seen Hate Crime online?  Seen programmes on TV.  Can affect people all over the   

 

world. Know some people who’ve had hate crime on Facebook. Some people won’t use social media because they’re scared. This group does not go online because of their worry of hate. If they had help/support, they would think about it (going online). Cyber bulling: Facebook, twitter, YouTube, news sites, Instagram, email. Facebook: shake phone to

Have you learnt how you keep yourself safe?  Yes. For example, get a train



carriage with people (person got attacked in an empty carriage). Some people avoid busses with school kids because they are rude + swear. 6

What the members say.  Use taxis that you trust.  Yes, with personal alarms but,  

they are hard to get. Going around with friends/supporters. Keeping personal belongings close to you. Carry mobile phones.

  Be careful where you walk + when.

 Strangers.  Alarms.  Money for emergencies. Why do people not report hate  People are scared of come   

back; more threats. Maybe it won’t be taken seriously. We think police don’t take things more seriously than they used to. Have to report it if it’s a “friend” who is taking advantage of you. 7

What the members say.  Its hurts your confidence + trust more if it’s a “friend” who lies to you. Frightened.

  Fear of not been believed.

What should be done to help people with LD to report hate crime?  Raise awareness.  Have someone to help you report (like a social worker or supporter or family/friends). More supporters/advocates

  Given help to write down what 

happened. Police have training to work with LD people.

 It is important to be told “it’s not your fault”. More information.

  Talking about it.  Knowing something is going to happen afterwards.

 Knowing you’re going to be safe afterwards. 8

What the members say.  We last spoke about hate crime in 2017. At that we time we spoke of:  getting scared  we might get robbed, mugged or attacked  there is anti-social behaviour  it is much worse in the dark

With this in mind, do you feel safer or more vulnerable now?  Glad police take you more seriously but there are less of them.

 Sometimes- you feel safer when 

you see police around e.g. on transport. Feels safer because we know more about hate crime + keeping safe.

 We keep each other safe by 

travelling together. Travel training helps you learn. 9

What the members say.  Bus driver’s attitudes are



generally better (e.g. when Stephen was getting harled the driver told them to stop). There are more inspectors and police on trains and that helps you feel safe.

 More CCTV cameras are good.  I feel less safe because things have not changed in 2 years.

 Feel more safe because I’m 

more confident. I feel more safe as I never go out on my own. More vulnerable now.

  More informed.  More support + friends.

Consultation with Dimensions Charity Mark and Andie came in to talk to us about their social media campaign and to ask us questions. Our answers will be used for a consultation on hate crime law. 10

Why is Hate crime happening?  Ignorance  Sometimes people have been abused/have no love in their life so they think hate is all there is. Not enough police

  Some people love bulling for the sake of it. Media/TV

  Peer pressure-some people

  

are too afraid to say no + join in even when they don’t want to. Some young people are bored + end up looking for trouble. “saying no is an act of bravery”. Because there are too many bullies. No education.

  Bad role models/celebrities.  Freedom of speech.

 Social standards/Instagram!  No consequences.  Lack of discipline  People think they will get  

away with it We don’t see the familiar local police officer possibly because of cuts. Some people actually think it’s fun to harm others.

 People think they can get away with it, won’t be punished. They think it is fun.

  People are ignorant.  People with a LD are different. Is hate crime taken seriously?    

Not enough. People don’t care. Not enough in the news. We don’t really know.

 In some cases, no, when it was

       

reported, it was dealt with quickly because they wanted to move onto the next one. Yes, as I have seen the police do it. No because most of them are young. Police are over stretched. Lack of evidence. It depends. Sometimes. We feel it’s getting there. Are police too busy? Do they take enough time on it?

What needs to change?  Help people feel less nervous 

to report; better support in the police stations. Have someone who is gentle + sympathetic.

 Use media to send out positive message. 13

 Make training mandatory for police (about hate crime/people with learning difficulties).

 Educate school kids too - help 

them to understand about their bullying. Educate their parents and their teachers, so they set a better example

 Have more serious punish

ments for hate crime+ better discipline in schools. More education training, awareness & police kindness. Places for young people to go.

  Social acceptance.  Give more leaflets and more 

info. We would like more stories with names taken out where we find out what has happened to others. This will help us to know what to do.

 People’s attitude need to

 

change. Go to schools and colleges to spread awareness of hate crime. Barrister. Solicitors, Judges and other staff need training to define hate crime and what it is.

What happens next? This report will be sent to our contacts in Bromley council, the police, and will be promoted on social media. We will produce a video that will be part of Bromley Together’s campaign on social media . This campaign will highlight the experiences of people with LD, and to show hate crime must be taken seriously like other crimes.

Who we are.  Thank you for reading this

 

report. While the subject can feel difficult, it is important that people with a learning disability speak up about this. Do let other people know about this report if you think they would be interested. And do talk to people about this. The more people know, the greater chance that we can stop hate crime.

If you would like more information about Bromley Together, you can contact Isaac on 07710 707 676 If you use social media, you can find us on: Twitter: @biggervoice Facebook: Bigger Voice YouTube: Advocacy For All