Isolated from our community

My name is Alice. I’m from Monmouthshire, where I live with seven sons and one daughter. Many of my children have been diagnosed with autism. Unfortunately, as a family, we suffer from hate crime immensely.

Many of our hate crime experiences involve yelling and being threatened. Often, offensive, derogatory terms are shouted at us by passers-by, and we’ve been told that we shouldn’t be out in the community because we are disabled. A considerable amount of this happens in public areas, mainly in streets around our community.

Feeling isolated from your community

Adam is one of my sons. He is autistic and has the learning age of a younger child. He was recently the victim of hate crime from our neighbours, who we have had trouble with previously. The neighbours have demanded that we don’t let Adam out in the garden because they find him frightening for their daughter.

Being told that your son is frightening to other people because of his condition is pretty awful.

A neighbour has physically intimidated me by jumping over my fence whilst verbally threatening me. Because of this behaviour, Adam is isolated from the community and even his garden. He is too scared to go out.

Being threatened and intimidated 

I’ve had to get the police involved several times because my family have felt in danger. The neighbours have also threatened to disclose to the community that I’m autistic too. They think this would affect my job as a councillor. They want to make sure that no one will vote for me because I have a disability.

These individuals have also called the RSPCA and social services with fake allegations - this was an attempt to drive us out of our home. We don’t step outside our garden now, and I’m scared to let my dog outside.

Adam recently moved to Gloucestershire to study at a specialised college for disabled people. Recently, he had a meltdown due to the behaviour of his new neighbours at college and was forced to go to another residential campus. He had such a big meltdown because of it - he broke into a primary school looking for his family, and he’s been smashing things up because they wouldn’t leave him alone.

I’ve noticed that hate crime has gotten worse. Where I live, the housing association has shown little to no interest, even though they have been informed. The police said it was a civil matter so are not taking it as seriously. I think with the police it depends on who you speak to, usually if they hear the word autism their attitude towards me and my family changes.

If you or someone you know has been a victim of hate crime and would like to share their story, please get in touch with Emma at emma.burke@leonardcheshire.org.

If you need support with an ongoing hate crime, please contact Victim Support Wales at hate.crimewales@victimsupport.org.uk.