Special treatment?
Published: 27 October 2011
Date: 27 October 2011
By: Sian Greenhead
Dan's problems after he got off the bus weren't helped by the police response
Imagine the scene: you are travelling home on the bus with a friend after a night at the cinema. You're both so engrossed in an animated debate about the film that your friend nearly misses her stop. She waves you a frantic goodbye as she rushes off the bus and ten minutes later you reach your stop and step off the bus.
Out of nowhere you feel a blow to your right cheek and then another directly to your forehead. You fall to the ground, confused and disorientated. Someone kicks you hard in the ribs and shouts "Give me your bag!". You look up and see a figure standing above you. He grabs your bag and disappears into the night. You lie on the pavement stunned, disorientated and frightened.
This happened to Dan two months ago in west London. Dan has bipolar disorder, experiencing frequent periods of severe depression which can make it difficult for him to leave the house and see other people.
Dan is someone I interviewed recently as part of the Mental Health and Justice Research Project. This is a three year study led by Victim Support in partnership with Mind and others. We are investigating experiences of victimisation among people with mental health problems. The study builds upon Mind's 2007 report, Another assault, which found that a shocking 71% of people with mental health problems had been victims of crime or harassment in the last two years. Moreover, people felt disempowered to speak out about their experiences and those that did were largely disappointed with the overall response from the authorities.
When I asked Dan why he didn't report the crime, he told me about a previous experience he'd had reporting a mugging. He'd disclosed that he had bipolar disorder and as a result he felt he was treated differently and not taken seriously. Dan was then directed to the community mental health services team rather than having the crime dealt with by the criminal justice agencies. He was also advised to go out less and avoid certain areas. This made him feel that he was to blame and angry that he was expected to change his behaviour because of someone else's criminality. He wondered whether he would have been given the same advice if he did not have a mental health condition.
The purpose of the study I'm working on is to delve into these issues further so we can develop a better understanding and ensure fair and equal access to the justice system. Find out more about the Mental Health and Justice Project or share your experience.