PCSP focus group discuss Disabilities and Hate Crime Awareness
Fri, May 13, 2022
Causeway Coast and Glens Policing and Community Safety Partnership (PCSP) has partnered with Disability Action to host local focus groups as part of its latest consultation.
It aims to establish what makes people with disabilities feel safe and unsafe in the Causeway Coast and Glens area.
Feedback from the consultation will allow the PCSP to better understand the needs of those with disabilities and identify ways to help them feel safe in their homes and the wider community.
One of the recent focus groups, held in Roe Valley Arts and Culture Centre in Limavady, concluded with a hate crime awareness talk facilitated by Leonard Cheshire, a disability hate crime advocacy organisation.
PCSP Manager Jonny Donaghy said:
“The PCSP wants everyone in our community to feel safe especially those who are most vulnerable. We would encourage everyone with a disability to take part in this important consultation exercise. If you support or care for someone with a disability, we also wish to hear from you.
“Hate crime can be widely misunderstood but it can have a huge impact on the lives of victims. We hope that this session helps increase awareness of hate crime, encourages reporting and that it has helped people with disabilities to know that support is available”
Speaking at the event, Leonard Cheshire’s Hate Crime advocate Gabrielle Fitzpatrick said:
“Crime – any crime – is a tragedy, and even more so when you are targeted for ‘who you are’. Disabled people often experience abuse in many forms and believe they have to put up with it, but they don’t.
The Disability Hate Crime Advocate will provide support and advice for any victim who wishes to report disability hate crime and take action to prevent it in the future.”
If you have a disability or you support or care for a disabled person, the PCSP wants to hear from you as part of this consultation.
You can access the online questionnaire here
Easy Read versions are also available.
If you need any help to fill in the questionnaire please email pcsp@causewaycoastandglen.gov.uk or telephone 07511 046 188.
To access a Sign Video please visit here
The consultation will remain open until Thursday 19th May 2022.
