Beating HIV Hate Neighbours

posted: 07/12/2010

Tom faced a four year campaign of HIV hate from his neighbours before he finally moved away. Tom (not his real name) is gay and HIV positive and his sexuality and having HIV made him a target for one of his neighbours in a block of flats in Manchester.

• They made inappropriate and abusive comments to him and his partner
• Then they accused him of playing loud music in the early hours
• They accused him of threatening them, so he was arrested.
• They also told other people in the block about his HIV
• Tom was assaulted twice
• His landlord, a housing association, went to court and got an injuction against him
• His landlord tried to evict him.

"This neighbour kept diaries about me, recording who was visiting my flat, and she claimed I was bullying her. The housing association that owned the flat issued an injunction against me. She got me arrested for allegedly threatening to kill her."
Earlier this year Tom’s housing association tried to end his tenancy, by sending him a court summons to repossess his flat .
 

Breakthrough Help

That was when he asked Breakthrough UK to help. Breakthrough are a Manchester-based national charity which supports disabled people who are victims of hate crime. Tom said "They advised me to give up the flat and get out. They gave me support, and now I'm in private accommodation. This neighbour made my life hell. She was making stuff up about me. I couldn't stand to be in the flat. I started drinking and would stay out as late as possible.
 

Police Say - Not a Hate Crime
"I told the police but they didn't see it as a hate crime – just anti-social behaviour.

I am a lot happier now. I have no stress and I'm free from all the hatred and homophobia. Without the support of Breakthrough I would probably have finished up in prison. The neighbour had claimed I had breached the injunction, but that was untrue, she just wanted to get me locked up."
 

Stamping out HIV hate
Lorraine Gradwell, Chief Executive of Breakthrough UK, said: "Our service sends out a clear message that any kind of hate crime against disabled people must be stamped out." Hate crime can be a physical attack or verbal attack towards a person because of their disability. Last year Greater Manchester Police recorded 74 incidents of hate crime against disabled people, but not this one.
 

The police are now working closely with disabled people and disability organisations including Breakthrough UK, to raise awareness of the crime and encourage victims to come forward.
 

Sergeant Kate Crompton, Greater Manchester Police, said: "Some disabled people are subject to appalling crimes because of their disability. Many are unaware that incidents such as name calling, harassment and intimidation can be criminal offences and should be reported to the police straight away. We are working hard to catch offenders and support victims and would ask anyone who has been subject to this crime to come forward. This type of behaviour is entirely unacceptable and will not be tolerated and those responsible will be brought to justice."
 

HIV Hate Too?

If you have been a victim of HIV or disability hate crime, you can contact

• George House Trust services team by email or by phone 0161 274 4499
• Breakthrough UK
• The Working It Through Together Project at Breakthrough UK runs a Disability Hate Crime Helpline for Greater Manchester     0161 882 2213        on Wednesdays between 2pm - 6pm, and you can leave a message on the ansaphone outside this time.
• your local neighbourhood policing team at www.gmp.police.uk or by calling 0161 872 5050
   

Working It Through Together  staff are also available on the main Breakthrough UK phone number       0161 273 5412       on Monday - Friday between 9 and 5, or by e-mail.
 

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