Adult protection and effective action in tackling violence and hostility against disabled people: some tensions and challenges
| Date | 11 April 2011 |
| Pages | 63-75 |
| Published date | 11 April 2011 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/14668201111139718 |
| Author | Chih Hoong Sin,Annie Hedges,Chloe Cook,Nina Mguni,Natasha Comber |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Sociology |
Research paper
Adult protection and effective action
in tackling violence and hostility
against disabled people: some tensions
and challenges
Chih Hoong Sin, Annie Hedges, Chloe Cook, Nina Mguni and Natasha Comber
Abstract
Purpose – This paper aims to discuss the sensible management of risk for disabled people, which can
turn into disproportionate steps to attempt to completely eliminate risk, leading to diminished
opportunities across life. Instincts to protect are heightened in the context of disabled people as
potential victims of targeted violence and hostility. Individual-, organisational- and systemic-level
responses can often be orientated towardsprotection and/or the minimisation of risk rather than towards
providing access to justice and effective redress.
Design/methodology/approach – This paper draws on evidence generated through a literature
review, interviews with disabled people and interviews with representatives from a number of key
organisations.
Findings – For many disabled people, incidents can be persistent and ongoing. Common responses
by disabled victims include avoidance and/or acceptance strategies. They are also advised by those
around them and by agency staff they come in contact with to ignore perpetrators or to avoid putting
themselves at risk. Criminal justice agencies may be more concerned about a victim’s disability than
about taking action to provide access to justice and effective redress. The protectionistic approach
underpinning much of policy, legislation and guidance can be at odds with the positive promotion of
disability equality.
Originality/value – The paper examines the need to move away from a protectionist paradigm to a
rights-based paradigm. It calls for a more inclusive approach where disabled people are involved
meaningfully in the process of risk management and in other decisions around combating targeted
violence and hostility against them.
Keywords Violence, Disabled people, Legislation
Paper type Research paper
Introduction
‘‘Risk’’ in one form or another underpins almost every area of disadvantage in disabled people’s
lives, with serious ramifications for independence and equality. ‘‘Risk’’ stops disabled people
from entering buildings or travelling. ‘‘Risk’’ stops disabled people from determining their own
lives. ‘‘Risk’’ stalls the opportunities for disabled children to develop into effective adults. ‘‘Risk’’
leads to huge waste in our public services, diverting money away from citizens and tying it up in
red tape. ‘‘Risk’’ is used to discriminate (Disability Rights Commission (DRC), 2006).
DOI 10.1108/14668201111139718 VOL. 13 NO. 2 2011, pp. 63-74, QEmerald Group Publishing Limited, ISSN 1466-8203
j
THE JOURNAL OF ADULT PROTECTION
j
PAGE 63
Chih Hoong Sin,
Annie Hedges, Chloe Cook
and Natasha Comber
are all based at the Office
for Public Management
(OPM), London, UK.
Nina Mguni is based at the
Young Foundation,
London, UK.
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