The problem 

Disabled people aren't fully protected by UK hate crime laws. This means victims often don't get justice. England, Wales, and Northern Ireland lack a single, clear law to deal with hate crime, making justice harder to find. Reports like the Casey Review also show widespread bias against Disabled people in the police.  

Rachel Taylor MP’s amendment to make all hate crime an aggravated offence is a good start, but we need more meaningful change. 

The Government must act on the important recommendations the Law Commission made in 2020 to fix all the problems with hate crime laws. We especially need protection for Disabled people who are marginalised in other ways, e.g. because of their race or gender, who face even greater injustice. 

What changes are we asking for? 

1. Pass and put into action Rachel Taylor MP's amendment. This will make all hate crimes, including those based on disability, sexuality, and gender identity, aggravated offences with tougher sentences.
2. Fully bring in the Law Commission's other key recommendations. This means adding laws against "stirring up hatred" against disabled people and making it easier to prove 'hostility' in crimes.
3. Create a National Hate Crime Strategy. The Government should listen to Disabled people’s experiences when making this plan. It should give support to organisations led by Disabled people that help victims. 
4. Make intersectional responses standard. Police and other services must be trained to understand the needs of victims who have multiple protected characteristics, like being Black and Disabled, or LGBTQ+ and Disabled. In these cases, the person’s Disabled identity is often ignored — this must change.
5. End police bias against Disabled people. All police should have to complete Disability Equality Training from a Disabled-led organisation. We also need strong ways to hold police accountable for how they handle disability hate crime cases. 

I've seen the terrible impact of disability hate crime on my own family and community. Many crimes against Disabled people involve being controlled and abused for money or sex. These acts are violent and cause deep emotional harm, but they're rarely treated as hate crimes as it’s hard to prove the attacker was acting with 'hostility'.

This isn't about stopping free speech. It's about making sure that when crimes are committed because of hate, the punishment is proportionate. 

We want the law to clearly say: Disabled people are protected, and those who target them will face proper punishment. 

These important changes will make our current hate crime laws stronger, and help Disabled victims get real justice.