By Natalie de Rose
This week marks National Hate Crime Awareness Week, a vital reminder that everyone, regardless of their faith, disability or background, deserves to feel safe, valued and respected. The week’s theme is H.O.P.E., standing for Hope, Opportunity, Protection, and Empowerment, which resonates deeply with us at Kisharon Langdon. These values are not just words; they are at the heart of everything we do to support individuals with learning disabilities and autistic people within the Jewish community.
Sadly, the people we support face a double vulnerability. They are targeted both for being Jewish and for having a disability. Hate crimes against them strike at the very core of human rights, undermining their ability to live freely and confidently in society.
Rising Hate in Challenging Times
Following the tragic events of October 7th 2023, in Israel, our organisation had to respond swiftly to increased risks of hate crime and hostility towards Jews in the UK. We worked closely with the Community Security Trust (CST) to mitigate risks and prioritise the safety of the people we support.
Sometimes, the hate we encounter is overt. Just a few months ago, one of our Supported Living tenants was shopping in Golders Green, accompanied by two Kisharon Langdon Support Workers. The tenant, who has a visible disability and wears religious clothing, was singled out by a known offender. In an instant, the perpetrator ran towards him with threatening gestures, targeting him simply for being who he is.
In that critical moment, our Support Workers instinctively placed themselves between the attacker and our member, acting as human shields. They swiftly removed him from danger, brought him home safely, and ensured he was comforted and cared for emotionally in the aftermath. The incident was reported to the police and CST, with staff providing full statements to support the investigation.
This is just one story, but it illustrates a wider reality. People who are visibly different, whether due to religion, disability or both, are too often the targets of hate.
A Fundamental Human Right
The experiences of the people we support are not only social concerns, but they are also human rights issues. The European Convention on Human Rights and the UK’s Human Rights Act protect everyone’s right to live free from discrimination (Article 14), the right to security (Article 5), and the right to dignity and inclusion in community life (Article 8). Hate crimes targeting people with disabilities strike at the very heart of these protections, denying individuals their safety, confidence, and equality before the law.
Too often, we only recognise the importance of our everyday rights, the right to feel safe on the street, to access public spaces, to be treated with respect, when they are threatened or taken away. Recognising disability hate crime as a human rights issue reminds us that accessibility, respect, and protection are not privileges, but rights that must be safeguarded for everyone. Every person, regardless of disability or background, deserves to live safely, participate fully, and be valued for who they are.
Protecting and Empowering Our Community
Hate crimes are not only physical. Online hate has also become a serious threat. Particularly in the months following October 7th 2023, our social media platforms were inundated with hateful comments, not only about our faith but also about the disabilities of those we support. With CST guidance, we tightened our platform settings to block abusers and prevent our community from being exposed to such harmful rhetoric.
But protection is only part of our mission. At Kisharon Langdon, we are equally committed to empowerment. We want the people we support to feel safe, confident and proud of who they are. For this reason, we offer:
- Mental health sessions – giving tools to cope with the lasting emotional impact of discrimination.
- Self-defence classes – empowering people with practical skills to protect themselves in case of an attack.
- Daily emotional support – creating a safe space where fears, concerns or experiences of hate can be shared and addressed.
- Education and awareness – ensuring our members understand why hate crimes happen, that they are never to blame, and that they are not alone.
Above all, we foster hope that by breaking down barriers, challenging prejudice and educating the wider community, we can build a more inclusive society where difference is embraced rather than feared.
Hate Crime Awareness Week: A Call To Action
Hate crimes are not just attacks on individuals; they are attacks on human rights, equality and dignity. They remind us why Hate Crime Awareness Week is so important, shining a light on these injustices and to commit to change.
At Kisharon Langdon, we will continue to do everything in our power to protect, support and empower the people we serve. But we cannot do it alone. Tackling hate requires all of us to stand together, to challenge intolerance, and to create a world where every person can live with dignity and without fear.
This week, we join the H.O.P.E. campaign in advocating for a future built on Hope, Opportunity, Protection and Empowerment. And we reaffirm our commitment to ensuring that every single one of the people we support can live their lives safely, proudly and freely, because everyone has the right to be who they are.
Take Action
- Click here if you are interested in volunteering for Kisharon Langdon to support our life-changing services.
- For more information on Kisharon Langdon, please visit www.kisharonlangdon.org.uk
