Disability hate crime: The case study of Lee Irving

Abstract

Within the world of criminology, pathologising crime and disability studies are becoming more prominent, not only from a victim standpoint but also from an offender standpoint.  This is particularly noticeable within the Criminal Justice System. The emergence of medicalisation is due to The Biomedical Model. This model is used to understand normal and ‘abnormal’ behaviours (Deacon and Mckay, 2015) and saw the human body as a biological machine, dividing the mind and body. The Biomedical Model thrived on providing ‘cures’ for disease and discouraged those with disabilities or impairments from feeling comfortable, nor did it empower them to embrace their disability (Deacon and Mckay, 2015). From The Biomedical Model the emergence of medicalisation became prominent however due to the diverse needs of those with disabilities and impairments a discriminatory barrier arose as society responded to those with a disability or impairment (Conrad, 2007).  Due to the diverse number of disabilities becoming more recognised and accepted within the 21^st century, there is always scope for further disability research within the field of criminology. There is a continuous debate of whether it is society that causes social constructs for disabilities or is it the disability itself. Throughout this article there will be reference to Lee Irving, a real case within the Northeast of England who was described as a ‘wonderful, young man’ (Moore, 2015). Lee unfortunately lost his life due to prolonged torture and abuse from those Lee thought were his friends. This case study will examine critical disability studies, hate/mate crime and the neurodiversity movement. Additionally, it will place future recommendations for what can be done to stop the discrimination and segregation against people with a disability.