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Union raises awaresness of hate crime against disabled - 23-05-2008 |
TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber has challenged the Government, the media and trade unions to tackle the social problems that have led to a spate of vicious hate crimes against disabled people.
Speaking at the annual TUC disability conference in London - during a debate that featured speakers
- Chair of the Equality and Human Rights Commission (EHRC), Trevor Phillips,
- Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) Communications and Diversity Manager, Liz Crossley and
- Disability Forward Limited Director, Michelle Valentine
TUC General Secretary Brendan Barber said
'Violence carried out in the name of prejudice has risen up the agenda this year - and sadly you don't have to look far to find out why.
'The horrendous cases of people murdered for no other reason than being disabled - for being in the wrong place at the wrong time - has left us all stunned, shocked and outraged.
'People like Brent Martin, 23, who was attacked by a gang of teenagers while he waited at a bus stop in Sunderland. Brent died in hospital two days later.
'Steven Hoskin from Cornwall, murdered by a group of people he thought were his friends. They led him on a dog's lead to a disused viaduct, and made him hang over the edge by his fingertips. Then they stamped on his hands, and when he could hold on no longer, Steven fell 100 feet to his death.
'And think lastly about Colin Greenwood from Sheffield. A 45-year old blind man, who was kicked repeatedly in the head by two youths. The following day, he died in hospital of brain injuries.
'This is happening here and now, in our country, in the 21st century. It is a scandal that shames modern Britain. And it demands an urgent response from all of us.
'The Government has begun to recognise this is a serious problem, and has introduced legislation to outlaw incitement to hatred on a growing number of grounds. But more needs to be done to fill in the remaining gaps.
'The police and law enforcement bodies need to understand, recognise and respond to hate crime - and attitudes in society that give rise to such violence need to be challenged head on.
'That is a job for everyone: for Government, for the EHRC, for public bodies, for companies, for trade unions, for the media, for the education system - for all of us.
'Because unless there is a change in popular attitudes - an end to the casual prejudices that underlie these attacks - then we will never defeat the terrible scourge of hate crime.'
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