Victim of crime - some disabilities are invisible

Some people say I am kind and caring. Some people say I go out of my way to help someone in need.


I was walking back home from work one Tuesday. A woman came up to me and started to chat with me. She seemed like a nice lady. She told me that she recently had a miscarriage, the problems she was having with her boyfriend and the money problems she was having. She seemed like she had trouble walking and was crying. I felt sorry for her, so I supported her to walk to my flat and I invited in for a cup of tea.


As soon as we walked in the flat she asked me to lend her £50. I felt a bit uncomfortable but I believed her. So I agreed to help her out and she promised to come back tomorrow to give me the money back.


I looked out for her the next day but she didn’t come back. But the next Tuesday she was stood there at the same time when I finished work. She barged her way into my flat. She spoke down to me, nothing like she behaved last time. Gone were the tears and the sad story. She asked for more money, she made herself poached egg on toast and even looked through my food cupboards and took whatever she wanted without my permission. She was so demanding and this made me feel so nervous. I didn't have £50 but she took the £20 I had on me.

Then once again she was outside my flat waiting for me the next Tuesday. My girlfriend Sandra was with me this time. Sandra was very firm with her, telling its wrong to take my money and food and she should 'sling her hook'. I stood up for myself, told her to leave me alone and she was not allowed in my flat. But she tried to barge her way in again but we stopped her this time. 


I called the police straight away and I told them what happened. I told them that she is still outside the flat and they said they send police around straight away. 



It took the police six hours to come to my flat, by what time she had long gone. I told them that I said it was an emergency. The police officer said you must be confused and because I have a learning disability I misheard what they said.


I went to Police Station the next day with my friend Colin who is a self advocate like me. They showed me some photos of women like her who have been known to do things like this. I didn't recognise her in the photos. They said there was nothing they can do and call 999 if she comes back. I fell like they gave up on me. They were talking so quickly and abruptly. They should have gave me time to answer questions. I honestly don't think they believed me.



Lots of people with learning disabilities are victims of crime and especially hate crime. I think that the police need training about commutating with people with learning disabilities and some disabilities are invisible. 

I’m too trusting and I always see the good in people. I still haven't decided if this experience has changed how I see other people.


Peter Cronin
Self Advocate