Abstract

The aim of this study is to examine the relationship between impairment, dis¬abling barriers and risk factors relating to hate crime incidents. The study analy¬ses quantitative data collected in 2011–2012 where there were 81 incidents of disability hate crime reported in the Tyne and Wear area of England. The research discovered that in the Tyne and Wear region people with learning diffi¬culties have a greater likelihood of experiencing hate crime than do people with other impairments. Although there was no significant difference between impair¬ment and types of hate crime incidents recorded (i.e. verbal abuse/harassment, violence and criminal damage), there were distinct differences between police and victim support responses to victims which correlated to impairment catego¬ries (p ≤ 0.05). The study concludes by suggesting that owing to specific dis¬abling barriers experienced by people with learning difficulties, this group is at increased risk of being victimised and is less likely to receive support from crim¬inal justice agencies.