I was horrified to read recently that disabled children are more than twice as likely to be beaten up by yobs than other children within their age group.
This is an outrage and those responsible must be reprimanded accordingly. Soft penalties will not stop this behaviour and it is only by enforcing a fair but tough justice system that such behaviour can be curbed.
We all feel the shock when stories such as Fiona Pilkington killing herself and her disabled daughter after enduring years of a hate campaign hit the headlines but how many of us think about these types of violent assaults long after the newspapers have hit the bottom on the recycling bin?
Shock statistics released this week reveal that:
1 in every 6 disabled children aged between 10 years and 15 years suffered a violent attack last year.
3 of every 4 cases resulted injury often involving knives, bricks, sticks or other weapons.
1 in 5 disabled or long-term sick children are crime victims.
9 out of 10 victims know their attacker/s
Worryingly 7 in every 10 victims did not think the attacks were crimes.
As a responsible society we can no longer allow this type of hate crime to continue unchecked.
The Universal Declaration of Human Rights Article 1 states that: “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.” To uphold this declaration we need a justice system that is tough on the bullies that perpetrate this type of crime. Soft penalties will only allow these thugs to continue with their outrageous behaviour. It is time for our law makers and law enforcers to act accordingly to protect not only the rights of our vulnerable children but all children in general.
The cowards that act in this manner should be made to realise that this behaviour will no longer be tolerated by society and each and every community should take responsibility in ensuring the safety and care of all its citizens.
