Cyber-Disability Hate Cases in the UK: The Documentation by the Police and Potential Barriers to Reporting

Disability hate crime is under-reported in the UK with perceived limited support given to victims. The use of online communication resulted cyber-disability cases, recognised by Police addition an ‘online-flag’ documentation. However, cases remain under-reported, potential individual, societal and organisational barriers reporting especially during a pandemic. This paper aims contextualise identify barriers, provide recommendations improve victims Police. retrospective examination was carried out on disability-related cyber incidents documented police force for 19 months. Among 3,349 cyber-crimes, 23 were included. analysis covered descriptive statistics qualitative document (QDA). Only 0.7% or 6.7% cyber-hate disability related. age ranged between 15 61 years, mean 25.8 years. Most (78%) from White ethnic background, majority females (61.5%). Three overarching themes emerged data as influencers documentation, these were: psychological impact, fear safety, type disability. Cyber-offences serious impact wellbeing, however, that included people visible disabilities more documented. Further awareness-raising targeting public needed understand cyber-offences recognise different types disabilities, which might encourage both