More than 40 disability-related hate crimes were reported in Bolton this year to August, but many deaf people “struggle” come forward – and a Bolton charity is stepping in.
Bolton Deaf Society has become a hate crime reporting centre.
D/deaf, deafened or hard-of-hearing people can come to the Bark Street charity on Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 9am and 3pm for help recording what happened and reporting it to the police.
Its advocacy team will help take down the information in British Sign Language and write out a report that the person can then take to the police station.
The service is available by appointment and as a drop-in.
Michael Stead, Advocacy lead at the charity, said: “There are a lot of communication barriers for D/deaf people who want to report a hate crime, so they are often less likely to do it.
“If they go to the police station, the people they speak with probably won’t be able to use British Sign Language.
“If there’s access to a video interpreter, D/deaf people can struggle because it is hard to lip read over the internet, especially if the signal lags.
“Many people have complained to us that police told they’d call them back later after they spoke.
“Not understanding that as a deaf person, they couldn’t use the phone.
“It takes confidence to report a hate crime. With these communication barriers, it’s harder.
“Now, Bolton Deaf Society can remove that for them.
“Our interpreters and advocates can help them record what happened and pass it to the police who can work with us for a clearer process.”
A hate crime can take many forms. It can involve physical attacks, threats, verbal abuse or other behaviours.
But the victim or witnesses see it as motivated by prejudice or hatred based on a protected characteristic like disability, race, or gender.
And deaf people have continued to deal with hate crimes.
Michael said: “People have reported being shouted, shoved at or having things thrown at them from behind.
“Deaf people have faced a lot of discrimination.
“Social media has helped with awareness, but it is not the same as people meeting a person who is D/deaf in real life.
“Even I’ve been on the receiving end of abuse.
“I have been called dumb or thick or told that I'm not fit to be a father because I'm deaf.
“It's something that a lot of D/deaf people have come to put up with.
“But, Bolton Deaf Society is here to challenge that, to say it's not acceptable and there's something they can do about it.
“Now when people tell us about hate crimes, we can report it to the police.
“Because if we don't, it will carry on and nothing will change.”
Bolton Deaf Society has been supporting D/deaf people for over 150 years.
It helps tackle social isolation and offers support with communication barriers.
And runs services like informal courses, job support or programmes offering mental health support or the ability to book an interpreter.
To make an appointment to report a hate crime at Bolton Deaf Society, email admin@boltondeafsociety.co.uk
Appointments are available for Tuesdays and Wednesdays between 9.00 AM and 3.00 PM. People can also drop in
To learn more about hate crime or the Bolton Deaf Society in British Sign Language, visit https://www.youtube.com/@boltondeafsociety
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