Keeping you safe
Jigsaw
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Being you is not a crime - hate crime is. Read about our work to encourage reporting of crimes.
Jigsaw is the first project in Kent to raise awareness of disability hate crime against people with autism and learning disabilities. Our 'living in fear' 3-year research project told us that almost half of those surveyed experienced victimisation. Although the impact of crimes and incidents could be serious and long lasting, 62% didn't report incidents to the police.
We raise awareness of hate crime and work with organisations to support the reporting of hate crimes, through reporting hubs. These hubs are in community facilities, such as mosques, community centres, shops and more.
We run disability awareness training with the police and 999/101 call handlers. This helps them to understand more about their needs and how to respond.
We also run hate crime awareness sessions for people with disabilities. These workshops focus on giving people the confidence to report incidents and how to do so.
More about what we've been up to
- We have been working with Kent Police, Victim Support, the Courts Service, other agencies, public transport and businesses to raise awareness of learning disabilities and autism. This has given professionals a greater understanding when supporting victims of crime. It also gives them an ability to work proactively to prevent events from happening in the first place.
- We are training people with learning disabilities and autism as 'experts with experience'. They will co-deliver the awareness sessions.
- We have developed guidance for GPs in Medway when carrying out health checks. This will help them identify and support those who may have been victims of hate crime.
- We have worked with Medway Youth Trust to develop a DVD showing hate crime scenarios and appropriate responses.
Types of hate crime
- Physical attacks
- Damage to property
- Offensive graffiti
- Arson
- Threats of attack
- Abusive or obscene telephone calls
- Anti-social behaviour and intimidation
- Offensive language and harassment.
Reporting hate crimes
- Speak to a police officer or PCSO. You can do this at your local police station
- Call 101 if it is not an emergency
- Call 999 in an emergency
- Report your crime online www.report-it.org.uk through True Vision. Your report will be forwarded to the relevant police station.
Reporting hubs
We have been working with local communities to create reporting hubs across Kent and Medway so that you can report any hate crime.
- Nucleus Arts in Chatham and Rochester
- Mencap's Medway branch
- Aztec day services in Rochester
- Ahmadiyya Mosque in Gillingham
- Age UK across Medway and Kent
- Kent Muslim Welfare Associate in Gillingham
- Kent Women's Muslim Welfare Association in Gillingham
- Choice Support services across Kent.
Support for victims
Call Victim Support on 0845 303 0900.
