Disabled victims of crime have been “infantilised and patronised” by police as their faith in justice diminishes, it has been found.
Nearly half (45%) were dissatisfied with their experience in the criminal justice system, according to a survey conducted by Victims’ Commissioner Helen Newlove. Just 20% felt confident they would get justice by reporting a crime, fewer than the already dismal 23% across all groups.
One wheelchair user told the survey a police officer asked them why they did not have “someone looking after” them to stop crimes happening to them. Baroness Newlove, in her report, said the findings were “particularly concerning when you consider disabled people are 57% more likely than non-disabled people to be a victim of headline crime”.
One respondent told the survey: “If anything, I felt like the police made things significantly worse for me throughout this, especially because of my disability. They told me at one point that because of my disability, I should have someone looking after me to help stop crimes happening to me.
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PHILIP COBURN)
“I am an adult, and they didn’t treat me as such. I don’t need a caretaker just because I am in a wheelchair.”
Jess Phillips, Minister for Safeguarding and Violence Against Women & Girls, said: “This report makes devastating reading. It is clear that too many victims of crime have been failed by the criminal justice system. Trust is broken and it is vital the entire system improves to regain public confidence.
“This government will play a more active role in policing. We are committed to driving up standards to ensure people feel that when something goes wrong, they are listened to and action is taken.”
The survey asked more than 3,000 victims across England and Wales about their experiences with police, the Crown Prosecution Service, the courts, and victim services.
Across all groups, 73% of victims said they were not confident reporting a crime will lead to justice. A third of people felt it took too long for the case to reach trial and only 30% said they thought police investigated their allegations thoroughly.
Victims spoke about being “fobbed off” by police and less than a fifth were aware of their victims’ rights and support services available. Others raised concerns about discrimination, with some saying they weren’t taken seriously when reporting hate crimes.
Baroness Newlove said the “disappointment” of disabled victims “is entirely understandable”. “It seems agencies fail to make the adjustments necessary for a disabled victim to be heard and have their story accurately captured,” she told the Mirror. “Who you are should – and must – not dictate the treatment and support you receive – or your chances at justice.
She said the survey must be “a major wake-up call” for those in Government that “rebuilding victims’ trust in the criminal justice system must be an absolute priority”. “A justice system that leaves victims feeling unsupported will only add to the trauma of the crime and drive disillusionment, with victims and witnesses simply walking away. So, let’s be clear: victims deserve better,” she added.