DON’T STAND for it. That’s the message that came from a self-advocacy group last week.
To mark Hate Crime Week, members of CLASP Wokingham came together with the police, politicians and community groups to launch the signing of its new charter.
It is now calling on the community to join them in its campaign to stamp out hate crime.
Hate crimes are described as when someone abuses another person due to a difference, be it race, religion, disability, sexuality or being transgender. It can be verbal abuse, physical violence, vandalism, stealing or threatening behaviour.
CLASP says that research by learning disability charity United Response found there were more than 7,300 reported Hate crime cases in 2019-20, a rise of just under 12% in a year, and this number continues to increase.
This, they say, is the tip of the iceberg as the statistics published back in 2013/14 estimate that there were 62,000 disability hate crimes with only 2,020 recorded by the police.
The charity reminded people who attended the charter launch on Friday, October 15, of the case of Fiona Pilkington, who set fire to her car with herself and her teenage daughter inside after a decade of harassment and anti-social behaviour because her daughter has learning disabilities.
CLASP said that some of its members are regularly subject to hate crimes.
To raise awareness, CLASP has produced a video outlining some of the issues they face.
At the launch, held at The Bradbury Centre in Rose Street, there were speeches by Felicity Parker, Superintendent of Thames Valley Police and Matt Pope, director of Adult Social services at Wokingham Borough Council.
Supt Parker gave her full support to the initiative, telling CLASP members: “Make sure you come forward to the police” if they experience hate crime.
Also speaking was Cllr Keith Baker, the mayor of Wokingham borough. He has direct experience of helping people with learning disabilities as he has been a governor at Addington School for over 10 years. He took the opportunity to praise CLASP for the work it has been doing in the local community.
“I’m delighted and pleased that you have invited me here,” he said, adding: “Congratulations on receiving the Queen’s Award, it is fantastic to see, and you have really, really deserved it.”
Now, the group is calling on Wokingham businesses, traders, organisations and societies to support this fight against Hate Crime by signing the charter.
As well as Thames Valley Police and Wokingham Borough Council, other signatories include Wokingham United Charities and a number of councillors.
Afterwards, the attendees were able to sign the charter as well as enjoying a free bacon roll and other refreshments organised by the Bradbury Centre’s café team and sponsored by Asda.
CLASP meets on Tuesday and Friday mornings at the Bradbury Centre for a range of activities.
For more details, or to join, log on to wokinghamclasp.org.uk
