Sticks and Stones
Today Mencap a leading charity supporting people published a report centred around hate crime and the responses to it. This report came about because of the rise in hate crime against people with learning disabilities and following the death of a mother and her daughter pushed to the edge by hate crime and the lack of response to their plight.
In Suffolk I have had the privilege to work with colleagues who are based in dealing with hate crime offences and a more dedicated group of people you will not meet. They are never off duty, they are available for people to ask advice and they make sure actions speak older than words. A lady I work alongside who has learning disabilities who had her gate padlocked so she could not leave her property reported to the hate crime team in Suffolk and the team responded by listening and offering practical support including CCTV. The result was in the ladies own words " I feel safe" which is testament to the great effect a well trained dedicated team can bring to a difficult situation. Today we had a photo call as part of the press release for the pilot project of Suffolk's Stay Safe Card. This is a project that has involved youth MP's, complex needs group members and a range of agencies including the hate crime team. The card will have some basic information around the support someone with difficulties may need in a time of difficulty, and if they feel anxious, or that names are being called, feeling vulnerable in public they can find a local shop or trader displaying a sticker and go inside. The shop staff will have received an hours training on how to support people with the card, and support can be given to people quickly. Such a simple idea, but such a good one at giving people confidence in their local community. But what makes a person feel they can make a person feel isolated and vulnerable? When do we bring our children up to hate, ridicule or make people feel their life is a misery. The sad thing is no one I believe deliberately encourages children to grow up with these beliefs but we often let our guard down and discrimination seeps into our lives. How often do you hear people call each other retards? How often do we laugh at racist or sexist jokes, making fun of people who make look different. If we allow this to enter our households it's not such a big jump to point and laugh at someone with a stutter trying to order a meal at a cafe, or to laugh at someone with cerebral palsy who has little control over their facial muscles. Or my pet favourite the way people say patronising remarks to people with downs syndrome because they look "cute". So I implore you all to think about the person crying because a young person took their picture and put it on Facebook labelled as a nutter, that young person may not really know the effect their actions have but it's our duty as parents to help them understand.
I truly hope in the future as we move forward and educate communities and schools we can promote understanding and a celebration of differences will be had, but this will only be possible if we all speak with the same voice.
Please remember if you are a victim of hate crime or know someone that is please report it to your local hate crime officer or your safer neighbourhood team, in Suffolk we do take it seriously, and look out for the Stay Safe cards and symbols.