Changing Faces Launch Campaign To Stop #VisibleHate

Changing Faces, the UK’s leading charity for everyone with a scar, mark or condition on their face or body that makes them look different, have published new independent research that reveals seven in ten people experience negative behaviour such as stares, abuse and bullying because of how they look.

New hate crime survey of over 1,000 people with a visible difference by charity Changing Faces reveals:

• Seven in ten people have experienced negative behaviours because of their visible difference;
• Over a quarter (28%) of people with a visible difference have experienced a hate crime;
• Of those who experienced a hate crime, about 70% did not report it;
• One in ten people with a disfigurement say they are repeatedly harassed on social media;
• Almost half (45%) of those who have experienced negative behaviours say they have lost confidence, over a third (35%) say they now feel anxious when they go out.

The charity is releasing a hard-hitting film as part of its new Hate Crime campaign – #VisibleHate. The campaign is supported by the Home Office and social media companies such as Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.

The campaign calls on everyone to stop the hate, and pledge their support to the charity's cause. 

By adding your name to the pledge, you're helping to create a world with less harassment, abuse and bullying.

The charity say that while most abuse happens in public, over 40% of people with a visible difference have had negative experiences online and one in ten say they are repeatedly harassed on social media.

The charity found that experiencing hostility and abuse can have a long-lasting impact. Almost half (45%) of those who have experienced negative behaviours say they have lost confidence, over a third (35%) say they now feel anxious when they go out and over a quarter (27%) say it has had a negative impact on their mental health.

Full information about the campaign can be found at: www.changingfaces.org.uk/campaign/visiblehate

Anyone who is targeted by any form of hate because of their appearance can report the incidents to Warwickshire Police on 101, in an emergency dial 999.