Anti-social behaviour and disability in the UK

Abstract

Over the last ten years, the UK government has made tackling antisocial behaviour (ASB) a priority in its discourses and through the introduction of a wide range of legislative and policy measures. In the development of the new politics of conduct a number of competing discourses have emerged in which binary oppositions are employed to symbolically differentiate the law abiding from the irresponsible. The focus of this paper is on the way in which disabled people, particularly those with mental health conditions are vulnerable to being constructed as victims and perpetrators of ASB. We explore the tensions and contradictions between policy developments in policing conduct and the requirement for housing authorities to take steps to meet disabled people's needs even if this requires more favourable treatment. Drawing on empirical evidence of the way in antisocial behaviour measures have had a disproportional impact on disabled people the paper reflects on the failure of policy makers to acknowledge the complex material reality in which the antisocial subject can be constituted as both a victim and perpetrator. The use of regulatory mechanisms such as the ASBO we argue, may not only fail to address the underlying causes of problem behaviour but also can have exclusionary effects that exacerbates discrimination.

The Use of Anti-Social Behaviour Powers with Vulnerable Groups: Some Recent Research

“…A high proportion of those young people receiving ASBOs either had problems with mental health or accepted learning difficulty. Further substantive research by Nixon et al (2007) reinforces the BIBIC research's initial findings that 'young people with mental health disorders and learning difficulties may be disproportionately subject to ASBOs but little robust empirical evidence is available about the context and use of ASBOs in these circumstances' (Nixon et al, 2007: 3).…”

Prosecuting Disability Hate Crime: a disabling solution?

“…In 2008 a Crown Prosecution Service report (Lee and Charles) indicated that a case file should contain a full assessment of the cognitive abilities of the victim prepared by a professional and relevant to the ability of the victim to take part in the criminal justice process indicating both the need to be in possession of strong evidence and a reluctance to accept the word of a disabled person. Nixon et al (2007) found that disabled people are vulnerable to being constructed as both victims and perpetrators of anti social behaviour. The mental health charity Mind (2007) maintains that the British Crime Survey should record crimes against people with mental health problems in order to establish that victimisation is unacceptable.…”

Street Homelessness and the Architecture of Citizenship

“…When transferred to the realm of social policy intervention, the idea of strong, cohesive communities has given rise to a series of instruments and quasi-legal sanctions which, putatively and purposefully, aim to tackle anti-social behaviour and reduce crime (Nixon et. 2008).…”