Once again disability hate crimes are being highlighted in the media.  This week Channel 4 will be screening Sticks and Stones on Friday 5th March at 7.30pm. Film maker Hannah Murphy will be presenting a poignant portrayal of what life can be like for disabled people in Britain. The programme will show disabled people sharing their experiences of hate crimes, bullying and harassment and will question a society that fails to protect them.

Disability Hate Crime is now moving to the top of the agenda nationally.  Recently there has been much more media coverage, and statutory bodies and other agencies are now finally taking notice. Furthermore, the Equality and Human Rights Commission (E&HRC) is to conduct a formal Inquiry into the actions of public authorities to eliminate disability related harassment and its causes.  Hopefully this will mean that in future disabled people will be able to get the appropriate support from local authorities, the police and the crown prosecution service to ensure that perpetrators of hate crimes against disabled people can be brought to justice.

Clearly positive change is on the way. However, change when it comes will be too late for people such as Fiona Pilkington and her daughter and the many others who have lost their lives or who have been permanently scarred, physically and emotionally, as a result of society's failure to recognise and/or respond appropriately to the needs of disabled people. 

KCIL wants to encourage disabled people to report disability hate crimes to the appropriate authorities.  Perhaps there is more that we can be doing as an organisation to support people to come forward? We also want to encourage our service users and members to respond to the call for input to the draft Terms of Reference for the E&HRC's Formal Inquiry. We will also continue to work closely with local agencies to ensure that disability hate crimes and anti social behaviour towards disabled people remains high on the local agenda.