Don’t Put Up With HIV Hate
posted: 27/10/2010
HIV hate and abuse are a problem for some people with HIV – but almost no-one complains. Now national charity Citizens Advice are urging people to go to their local bureau and report hate incidents, and hate crimes, whether people saw these or were the target themselves.
A hate incident is when someone is targeted because of their disability, gender identity, race, religion or sexual orientation. Hate incidents include verbal or physical attacks and can happen to anyone. Where the incident is a crime it is known as a hate crime.
HIV hate and abuse - our pages on HIV prejudice and stigma
People can also contact HIV community and other organisations for information, support and advice.
Gillian Guy, chief executive of Citizens Advice said:
“We all have the right to live free from violence, harassment or hostility, but over the years, we have seen cases how devastating hate incidents and discrimination can be on individuals, families and the wider community. Hate incidents target people because of who they are.
“We want people to feel able to come in and tell us about any form of discrimination whether experiencing or witnessing hate incidents, and no matter how minor they might seem. Hate incidents are a form of discrimination.”
YouTube: Tackle Hate Crime
Advice Week 2010 put the spotlight on discrimination and Citizens Advice Bureaux are raising awareness about hate incidents and how to tackle them. Advice podcasts and a film show possible ways of coping with hate incidents. The tackling hate film clip is here on YouTube. The advice podcast is here
2 in 3 want help after discrimination
Discrimination is the problem people are least likely to seek help with, says the Working Together for Advice Coalition (Advice Services Alliance, Advice-UK, Age UK, Citizens Advice, Law Centres Federation and Youth Access).
One in three people experiencing discrimination do nothing about it. Of these, two thirds say they wanted to act, but felt unable to. The YouTube film highlights people’s new anti-discrimination rights and information about where to seek free support and advice. It shows people who have suffered discrimination and how advice has helped them take action and turn a bad situation round. The film clip is here on YouTube
Four times more hate
People with disabilities (such as HIV) are four times more likely to experience a hate crime than people without disabilities, reports the Equality and Human Rights Commission.
One example
A man with learning disabilities was bullied using online social networks. The person’s private details were published with mobile phone videos. Hundreds of people joined as members to mock and harass him. The local Citizens Advice Bureau worked with the police, the social network site and others to find those responsible, remove the site, support the person and take action against those responsible.
England and Wales Citizens Advice Chief Executive Gillian Guy, said:
“Citizens Advice Bureaux in England and Wales helped with over 28,000 discrimination enquiries last year yet far too many people still aren’t aware of their rights or how to challenge it. Discrimination is a distressing experience, which can leave people feeling isolated and helpless. But Citizens Advice bureaux and other agencies can explain the law and help you take action if you want to. Don’t put up with it. Get advice.”
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