Warning: This has potentially triggering content
Let’s start the decade by getting the harassment of Disabled Women and non-binary folk made illegal in Britain as making something illegal is to bring in consequences for perpetrators.
It is a genuine fear and a reality lived by many members of the disability community, with statistics showing that Disabled people are more than twice as likely to experience sexual assault and harassment. A petition has been launched to campaign towards a law being passed which makes harassment crime. Please sign this petition and make the world a slightly safer place.
Every day a Disabled person will encounter someone who wants to ‘help’, even if it isn’t asked for – hese people aren’t necessarily doing wrong by wanting to help out. Even worse, there are instances where people will, retaliate with aggression after being told ‘no’. Then there are the people who might ‘help’ to get people’s trust before doing something worse, such as sexual assault or inappropriately propositions which can be physically and mentally damaging to a Disabled person’s wellbeing.
In recent years we have seen the rise of campaigns to raise awareness of sexual assault and harassment such as #MeToo and #Timesup which has dominated the media. Thanks to social media people are finally speaking out, whether it be to share their story or showing solidarity.
We in the disability community have a similar tag of #JustAskDontGrab to share their stories and experiences of being ‘helped’ when they didn’t want it and weren’t asked if they did’ to inform the wider public of how best to help someone and with the importance of asking a Disabled people if they want any help. Fashion magazine Grazia has highlighted the campaign which has increased in support.
Sign the petition here – https://www.change.org/p/make-street-harassment-illegal-in-…
