As part of National Hate Crime Awareness Week (14th – 21st October) SCLD and partners have launched a short film titled, ‘We are More’, about people with learning disabilities’ experiences of hate crime disability hate crime. Sadly hate crime is part of the daily experiences of many people with learning disabilities, who are more likely to experience all forms of violence, harassment and abuse, including hate crime.

The call to action from people with learning disabilities involved in the film is that “We need to make things better for people with learning disabilities in Scotland and to help people feel safe”.

It is clear that we all can do more to help people with learning disabilities feel safe and to banish hate crime from our society.

Watch the film

***Please note that the subject of this film is sensitive and may be upsetting or triggering for some viewers****

We are More – a film about hate crime

SCLD’s Chief Executive, Charlie McMillan said:

“A few years ago, a young man with a learning disability approached us, asking us to help him to share his story of being assaulted as he walked down the street. His request led to us working with him and a number of partner organisations to co-produce ‘We are More’. We have had to wait for a long time before sharing the film to allow the case against his attackers to be dealt with. His story reflects the horrible reality of disability hate crime, something that happens all too often to people with a learning disability across Scotland.  

We didn’t plan for today’s launch to coincide with the publication of Remember My Name, the report from the Serious Case Review into the life of Margaret Fleming, but it seems very timely.

 The message from both our film and the report is the same – we all have a responsibility to intervene, to act, to do more to stop hate crime in its tracks. If you see something, intervene; report it to the police or the relevant organisations. People with learning disabilities should not be left isolated, alone, and invisible to suffer such serious harm in silence. 

The other clear message the people who made the film want you to leave with is ‘We are More’ and they need everyone’s support to ensure that they are able to live the lives they choose – safe, equal and loving lives.”

The People First (Scotland) National Hate Crime Action Group gave a presentation about the group and their campaigning work, to mark the launch. The Respect Group at Fortune Works also presented a video, sharing their thoughts on the film and giving an overview of their work.

Thank you to everyone who took part in the We Are More film.  Thanks to our partners Special Needs Action Project (SNAP), People First (Scotland), The Respect Group at Fortune Works and the Scottish Learning Disability Observatory.