Harass a Disabled Person
Whether it is a joke or an act of intimidation, harassment of a disabled person can cause a host of problems. Moreover, it can lead to an unhealthy work environment and even mental anguish. Harassment can be committed by coworkers, supervisors, subordinates, customers, and third-party vendors. Because of these reasons, it is important to ensure a harassment-free workplace environment.
To be considered disability discrimination, it must be unwelcome. The question of welcomeness often comes up in cases of sexual harassment, where the harasser argues that the disabled person was open to the sexual conduct, although they did not know whether the employee would mind if they joined in. While the act itself may be unwelcome, cruel comments and actions are always unwelcome. In addition, disability harassment cases involve repeated acts of harassment.
Another type of harassment is known as malicious harassment. It occurs when a person uses physical force to intimidate, oppress, or threaten a disabled person. The act can also involve defacing property. This kind of harassment is illegal and can result in prison sentences and fines of up to $10,000. If you’re a disabled person, you should make sure to follow the law and report any harassment to the proper authorities.
Is it Illegal to Harass a Disabled Person?
To find out whether a harassment case is viable, the CPS must review the evidence. It will consider whether or not the case can be prosecuted as a disability hate crime. The prosecution must be justified, based on sufficient evidence. If the case is deemed to be a hate crime, the prosecution must refer the suspect to a prosecutor for further consultation. If the suspect agrees to the charges, the prosecutor will then file a criminal case.
Although harassment of a disabled person is illegal, some cases may be justified for health or business reasons. For example, a woman who needs time off from work to care for her disabled child was barred from a pub because of her disability. This type of victimisation is not only illegal, but also discriminatory. The Equality Act 2010 also prohibits workplace discrimination against disabled people. Employers must make reasonable accommodations to accommodate a disabled person, or they risk being sued.
If you or a co-worker is accused of harassing a disabled person, you can file a complaint with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. This federal agency investigates all cases of disability discrimination and protects the rights of disabled people. The law also states that employers must post notices that inform all employees of their rights and responsibilities. These notices must be posted where people with disabilities can easily find them.
