Third Sector
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CAB response to EHRC disability-related harassment inquiry

Citizens Advice has responsed to the announcement of the EHRC disability-related harassment inquiry.

Citizens Advice Head of Equality Strategy, Ali Harris said:

"Citizens Advice welcomes the launch of the EHRC inquiry into disability-related harassment. Around 23% of our clients are disabled or have a long term health condition and we recognise that disabled people are more likely than the wider population to experience targeted violence or hostility. Evidence from Citizens Advice Bureaux across England and Wales raise concerning levels of discrimination, harassment and hate incidents towards disabled people.

"In one case, an elderly disabled woman was harassed by a salesman for hours inside her own home before being persuaded to buy double-glazing that she could not afford. In another, a resident with learning disabilities was subject to an online social network bullying campaign, in which hundreds of people became members. Other cases cite disability-motivated harassment from neighbours or the failure of an organisation to prevent harassment.

"These cases sit against a backdrop of rising discrimination enquiries - the service reported an 11% increase over the last two years. In particular, in the last year, more employment discrimination enquiries were related to disability (around 30% of the total) than to any other issue. That's why challenging harassment and fighting discrimination go to the heart of our principles. We look forward to responding to the inquiry, whilst continuing to tackle disability-related harassment and discrimination in our communities."

Notes to editors:

  1. The Citizens Advice service is a network of independent charities that helps people resolve their money, legal and other problems by providing information and advice and by influencing policymakers.
    For more information in England and Wales see (New window)
    www.citizensadvice.org.uk
    For more information and 2008/9 service statistics see (New window) Introduction to the service
    For 2008/9 service highlights see the (New window)
    Citizens Advice impact report
    For 2008/9 social policy campaigning highlights see the (New window)
    Citizens Advice social policy impact report
  2. The advice provided by the Citizens Advice service is free, independent, confidential, and impartial, and available to everyone regardless of race, gender, disability, sexual orientation, religion, age or nationality.
  3. Most Citizens Advice service staff are trained volunteers, working at around 3,300 service outlets across England and Wales.
  4. Citizens Advice Bureaux in England and Wales advised 2 million clients on 6 million problems from April 2008 to March 2009
  5. Advice and information (New window) www.adviceguide.org.uk
  6. Follow Citizens Advice on Twitter: (New window) twitter.com/CitizensAdvice
  7. Volunteer hotline 08451 264264 (local rate)

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