I CAME across an interesting issue that was highlighted in the newspapers recently.
I thought that I would comment on it in today’s Wheel Power.
First, syabas to Chief Justice of Malaysia Tun Zaki Ahmad for pointing out criminal cases involving direct victims should be given priority in the courts.
Tun Zaki was referring to situations like rape, incest, snatch theft and robbery; saying that they should be given priority over other cases like possession and consumption of drugs, for example.
He pointed out to a particular rape trial in a northern state where it had been postponed for as many as 52 times.
Mr Chief Justice Sir, I hope that you will include people with disabilities (PWDs) and the elderly as another special case in your list when they become victims of crime.
Their physical conditions make them even more vulnerable than the rest of society to danger and victimisation.
I have heard many horrifying stories of how the blind, in particular, fall victim to snatch thieves in broad daylight. Most members of the public usually don’t even realise that a crime is taking place until the assailants are long gone.
Snatch thieves have discovered an “innovative” way to make their “earnings.” They approach the blind (mostly women) who are trying to cross the street and offer help.
After assisting them halfway across the road, they take off with their belongings whilst most people have the impression that they are being cared for by good Samaritans.
In situations like these they are also confronted with real danger to their lives with the traffic in the middle of the road.
Their cries for help are often drowned out by the loud sounds of the vehicles.
The trauma and vulnerability experienced by disabled victims is often far greater than that for the non disabled.
It is a myth to assume that the average crook sympathises with those on wheelchairs.
Rather, a physically disabled person will more likely be seen as a “quick and easy target” by snatch thieves whether they are in a lonely spot in their wheelchairs or driving alone in their cars with a wheelchair-sticker.
Violence in the home is another real problem, although many cases often go unreported to the authorities.
This is largely due to another myth that all families are caring to their disabled members.
Once again PWDs and even the elderly (especially women) become even more vulnerable in incidents of domestic violence.
I came across a couple of real stories only last week.
One involved an elderly disabled woman who was physically attacked by her able-bodied son. The other: a disabled woman was attacked by her brother who is supposed to be her caregiver.
Being unable to move or seated in a wheelchair makes it virtually impossible for someone to defend himself or herself.
Any injury or blow to the body could wreak havoc or even death, due to the individual’s weak bones or inability to shield off the blows.
In situations like these it is vital that the officers involved in helping such victims be specially trained about disabilities.
They must have a general understanding of what handicapping conditions are and the vulnerabilities they present in crisis situations.
Disabled victims must be given priority at all times.
More so in cases of domestic violence when the victim is living alone with a “caregiver” who is a member of the family.
In one particular case, the police appeared to have a tough time believing that the disabled person and the “caregiver” even though the facts were quite clear.
Police officers should have special training to deal with PWDs.
This sensitivity should also be taught to government and NGOs – and even politicians – who make it their job to help people in such crises.
The best way to bring about awareness about PWDs is for crisis-officers to invite the local disability organisations for discussions on how they can make their services – often lifesaving – more appropriate for their needs.
Local courts and police stations should do the needful at once to make their buildings disabled friendly.
These include providing at least two disabled car parks right at the entrance of their buildings and making their restrooms disabled friendly.
There must be clear signage and the officer at the guard house instructed to promptly guide handicapped visitors to it.
We all know how making police reports can often take some hours to complete.
Not having a toilet in a police station will put the victim in an even more difficult position.
This is another reason why the disabled and the elderly must be attended to as soon as they enter a police station.
There is really not much point in putting up posters of a friendly police station – as is done nowadays – when the buildings paint another picture.
The End
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