HATE crime’s targeted at those with disabilities was the focus of a multi-agency awareness event in Bromsgrove on Thursday (October 19).
Police, charity and council representatives joined forces at Bromsgrove District Council’s Parkside Suite, to educate local schools on the experiences faced by those with disabilities.
The event, as part of Hate Crime Awareness Week, saw About Face Theatre Company perform a play to highlight the true story of a young autistic boy, Alister, and his lived experience with hate crime.
The play – Someone Else’s Train – was performed by five down syndrome actors from the theatre group – which works specifically with performers with learning disabilities.
About Face also performed an interactive version of the play to encourage the audience to point out instances of hateful behaviour.
Children from Parkside School and Chadsgrove School in Bromsgrove pointed out incidences of threatening, intimidating, and demeaning behaviour – all common signs of hate crime.
They also picked up on some people’s unwillingness or lack of awareness when it comes to stepping in to help someone, while the event constantly emphasised the importance of reporting hate crimes.
Jess Mackenzie, About Face’s artistic director said: “We’re trying to change peoples attitudes towards disabilities, to see them for what they can do and not what they can’t do.
“The performers see themselves as actors, not people with a disability.
“Hate crime isn’t black and white and sometimes people committing the crimes are coming from bad places themselves.”
Matthew Cole, from Victim Support charity, said: “Today there’s a focus on disability and our role is to minimise the effect on the victim following incidents of hate crime.
“We all feel disability is overlooked, and disabled people disproportionately under report when they are a victim.
“Engaging with people and encouraging them to report is a massive area to work on.”
Louise Williams, a West Mercia hate crime officer, said: “My work is guided by the victims, we offer support to make them feel safe.
“Today is a chance to raise awareness and understanding among young people, in the hopes of encouraging reporting.
“You can report to us, we’re here to help.”
Sarah McIntosh, North Worcestershire Community Safety Partnership said: “Hate crime awareness week is an important time for us to raise awareness of hate crime, this year we focused on promoting disability hate crime.
“The event was well attended both by community members and schools who all engaged well in the message delivered by About Face Theatre.
“It important that those within our community come forward to report incidents of hate crime.”
Visit www.report-it.org.uk/your_police_force or www.westmercia.police.uk to report a hate crime. Always dial 999 in an emergency.
Visit victimadviceline.org.uk or email [email protected] or call 0800 9523000 for support.
Visit https://nationalhcaw.uk/ for more.
