A councillor says we need to listen to the victims as disability hate crimes are going largely unpunished.
Greater Manchester Police recorded a total of more than 13,000 hate crimes last year, of which 1,337 were relating to disability.
In the year to March 2022 across the whole of England and Wales, just over one per cent of the 11,224 disability hate crimes – nearly 6,000 of which were violent - ended up with someone being charged or with a court summons.
This is down from nearly two per cent.
This disparity has led Cllr Rabiya Jiva, shadow cabinet member for stronger communities, to suggest that the current system is not working as it should.
She said: “Judging by these figures there seems to be a problem.
“What we need to do is liaise with the victims of this abhorrent crime to understand their experiences and what we need to do. Do they feel supported or not supported?
“I think we’re missing a trick. It’s about the people who are affected. It’s not just about us deciding what needs to be done when we haven’t experienced it.
“We need to engage with effect people from the disabled community in a safe space and have systems in place to support them.”
Her opposite number, Cllr Mudasir Dean, says he is “shocked” to learn that just one per cent of reported hate crimes are resulting in prosecution.
He added: “We really need to raise awareness in the community that all types of hate crime are unacceptable.
“It’s really important that people who are victim or witnesses report it so evidence can be gathered.
“Organisations can apply to Bolton CVS for money from Bolton council for hate crimes.
"There’s a pot of money which goes towards hate crime awareness, to understand what a hate crime is and how and where they can be reported.”
Cllr Jiva, though, believes the current response to hate crimes needs a rethink.
She said: “Clearly there are a lack of systems in place if only 1 per cent of people committing these crimes are getting punished.
“And clearly, if there are systems, they aren’t working.”
If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at lewis.finney@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @lewisfinney18
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