From the BBC News Magazine:

Geoff Adams-Spink reviews a series of crimes that have been widely reported in the UK press, and attempts to determine whether they are isolated cases or evidence of intimidation and violence directed at people with disabilities.

Among the cases he examines:

• Christine Lakinski, a 50-year-old woman with disabilities who collapsed in the street near her home. She was set upon by a neighbor who covered her in shaving foam, urinated on her and filmed her on a mobile foam as she lay dying.
• Kevin Davies, who had epilepsy, was kept in a shed, tortured and eventually died.
• Brent Martin, who had learning disabilities, died after being punched, kicked and stomped on to settle a bet.

Writes Adams-Spink:

Whether it is “bullying”, “harassment”, “intimidation” or “hate crime” depends upon your perspective.

What is clear is that there are people who despise others for their difference and who behave in ways that make them feel victimized, excluded and afraid.

See earlier posts:

Columnist: Whether hate crime or bullying, it needs to stop

Columnist: We must protect disabled people from this wave of barbaric and hateful crimes

This entry was posted on Wednesday, August 20th, 2008 at 7:27 am and is filed under NOT2BEMISSED, disabilities, law, violence. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.  Email This Post