Disability Hate Crime

What is disability hate crime?

Disability hate crime is when someone is being abused or harassed because they are disabled.

“Harassment of a disabled person, is any behaviour which is perceived to be attributable to their impairment, which is unwanted and offensive, which discriminates and treats a person less favourably because of that person’s disability”.
- Harassment of disabled people in Southampton, An Evaluation of People’s Experiences, Southampton Centre for Independent Living (SCIL) 2002

For the purposes of the Hate Crime and Harassment Strategy, the term ‘disability’ includes learning disabilities, mental health, physical and/or mental disability, HIV status, frailty, or impairment.

More Information

There are a number of organisations you can contact for advice and support on disability hate crime.

Here is a list of telephone numbers you might find useful. Also see the links on the right hand side.

• DAIN (Disability advice and information network): 023 8020 2653
• Hampshire deaf association: 023 80 516 516, enquiries@deafhampshire.org
• Ribbons centre: 023 8022 5511, info@ribbons-centre.co.uk
• Solent mind: 023 8033 4977
• Southampton centre for independent living: 023 8020 2648, info@southamptoncil.co.uk
• Victim support: 023 8084 1924