I’m picked on because I am different…..An anonymous victim’s account of hate crime.

Every year people in Worcestershire, Herefordshire and Shropshire are attacked and harassed – physically and/ or verbally – because they are perceived as ‘different’. Why you might ask? Perhaps it’s because of their religion or their sexuality, or it’s the colour of their skin, their gender identity or their disability – or a combination of these.

Hate crimes are just that CRIME and we HATE that people have to suffer this utterly horrendous treatment for just being themselves.
We spoke to a woman who wanted to share her story with you to help. To help other victims to come forward – because in her words “there is help out there”.

To help us, as your police force to give you a different account and educate our community about hate crime – what it is and how it affects people’s lives from morning to night and to encourage reporting hate crime. Both, if you are the victim or you witness someone physically or verbally abusing someone just because of a perceived difference.
This is just one example, and we hope to bring more to help share with you how this type of crime is damaging people. Due to legal reasons we are keeping specific details out of this account and detailing only how she feels, and her message to you the reader.
From Anonymous to the people of West Mercia:

“I was bullied at school for being a bit different….you know how it was back then. I have been disabled from birth, I work, I volunteer, I care for myself and my beloved dog.

"The intimidation went on for years. I googled how to end my life - but who would have cared for my dog?"

She continued: “It has been both physical and verbal. Filthy words said to me about how I look. I have been spat at, I have been sworn at, I have been pushed and I have jumped away from cars that I thought were being driven at me.

“My physical and mental health has been affected by the actions of another person and I fear for my safety and the safety of my dog.

"I’m picked on because I am an easy target due to my physical disability!
I am nervous to go out into my village, and as the nights draw in that anxious feeling increases.”

“It’s impossible for me to avoid walking around my village, my dog needs to be walked but it is nerve-wracking and I am always thinking what next.”

She continued: “My first report to the police some time ago didn’t seem to glean a satisfactory response, but, following that I took part in a survey that asked if I was satisfied. Well, I wasn’t and I answered honestly.

Around a month or so ago I had a call from PC Robert Seewoosaha. He called me out of the blue to explain that he had been assigned a new role as a hate crime officer and he wanted to support me.

He visited me with another officer, and my nervous dog jumped all over him! They looked around my house, gave me some advice about getting cameras, and giving me an alarm. Rob left the house covered in my dog hair and has made me feel better about everything that was happening.

He even gave me his direct contact details so that I could email him any time I was distressed – one night I emailed him and he called me straight back. He even gave me a colleague’s contact details that I could use for support while he was away on holiday! It is those little things that really have made me feel that this will be ok in the end. And I can’t thank him and the officers and staff that are supporting me.

"There is help out there, and I want people to know that, I think it is being more understood by police and they want to help. They support me, I feel supported and I want others to feel that way.”

West Mercia Police now has dedicated hate crime officers in each local policing area that are supporting victims of hate crime, educating businesses, local community groups as well as sports venues and schools to better understand hate crime and its effects on the victim and our community as a whole.

If you experience hate crime, or if you witness hate crime report it, here on our website. 

Or, if you don’t want to report it to the police visit - True Vision www.report-it.org.uk

If you are a victim and need advice visit the Victim Advice Line on https://victimadviceline.org.uk/