JustBeingCP

On the 5th of December 2019 as I travelled through the city centre of my home town I was a victim of hate crime.

A group of young people approached me and one of them decided to shout you alright cripple.

This incident left me questioning my disability and that is something that I never want to do again.

At the time of the incident I was not sure how to react so did not say anything to the group when they had said what they said.

My reaction to the incident was to get on social media and encourage young people to think about what is and is not acceptable to say to other human beings in society.

The group of young people denied that the incident took place and this left me feeling upset and confused because I knew that it had happened.

I have delivered a number of assemblies about the incident in order to educate young people about hate crime.

I believe that there should be more education in schools and colleges about hate crime and the impact that it can have on the victims.

It is so disappointing that not enough is currently being done in schools and colleges to discuss hate crime and the impact that it can have on the victims.

I have made it my mission to ensure that young people are educated about the impact that this type of crime can have on those who are on the receiving end of it.

I believe that this will not change as it is not the priority of those who have the power to make these types of decisions.

If I had the opportunity to influence these key decision-makers then my message would simply be this:

Young people need to discuss these types of crimes in PSHE when they are at school or college so that they know what the potential impact can be.

Since the incident in 2019 I have become more aware of what young people can say to others who live in our society.

My message to young people would simply be this: Please consider what you say before you say it as you will not know what impact your words will have on the person receiving them.

I hope that you find this blog educational as that was the purpose behind me writing it.

Cam