European Messenger

No 14 – October 2006





Hermes Network

Editorial

Dear readers,

Welcome to the 14th edition of the “European Messenger”. The dominating topic in this newsletter - violence experienced by blind and partially sighted people. There are four articles related to this subject. Two of them are produced by Tony Aston, chairman of the EBU Rights commission. The author summarizes the results of the Daphne project and the EBU Survey on Violence experienced by visually impaired persons. The newsletter includes information prepared by our commission member Vanda Dignani. Her article describes a new service, foreseeing the establishment of a telephone line available to blind and partially sighted women who are faced with different and varied challenges and need help. The fourth piece of information related to the above mentioned topic has been submitted by a blind man who participated in a seminar entitled “Safe Without Sight” which took place in Lithuania.
The newsletter also includes updated information on the UN Convention.

Should you want to express your thoughts or contribute to the Messenger, please contact Tony Aston, Chairman EBU Commission on the Rights of Blind and Partially Sighted people


E-mail: tony.aston@btinternet.com
Or
Audra Jozenaite
E-mail: audra@lass.lt


Back to contents




VIOLENCE EXPERIENCED BY BLIND AND PARTIALLY SIGHTED PEOPLE - RECOMMENDATIONS FOR ACTION

By Tony Aston,
Chairman of the EBU Commission on the Rights of Blind and Partially Sighted People

 

INTRODUCTION:

Between 2003 and 2006 the European Blind Union (EBU) carried out two separate but related projects on the violence experienced by blind and partially sighted people. These were the EBU/EU Daphne Project and the EBU Survey on Violence Experienced by Blind and Partially Sighted People. This article summarises the results of the Daphne Project and makes a link with the Survey on Violence undertaken by the EBU Commission on the Rights of Blind and Partially Sighted People reported elsewhere in this newsletter. It also identifies seven key recommendations for action by EBU member organisations and the Board of EBU that are drawn from the Projects' results.

THE DAPHNE PROJECT:

The Daphne Project was undertaken with EU funding by five EBU member organisations - France, Italy, Netherlands, Spain and Sweden - in 2003. The Project had included a survey of blind and partially sighted women in these countries, discussion groups, self de fence classes for blind and partially sighted women and a range of other support initiatives for blind and partially sighted women who were experiencing, or had had experienced, violence. The following observations and information is drawn from the reports prepared by the five EBU national participating organizations.

Violence; its nature and location -

These reports explain the very wide range of violence experienced by blind and partially sighted women and girls. This included verbal, psychological, physical and sexual violence. This had taken place in the home, involving family and friends, in the street, involving strangers, or in schools, rehabilitation and training centres, involving professional and care workers. It had a deep, long term adverse emotional and psychological effect on those who experienced it.

Violence; its extent -

There was considerable variation in the sample sizes for the five participating countries. There is no information available about the way in which the samples were drawn. No comparative data exists for the nature and extent of violence experienced by women in these countries who are not blind or partially sighted. However, the incidence of reported violence must be a cause for considerable concern by EBU and its member organizations., especially if it is considered in the context of the reports on the discussion groups and the case studies included in the Project reports. These indicated that the violence experienced by many of the women participating in the Project was often related directly to their blindness or partial sight.

The following information drawn from these reports illustrates the variation in sample size and describes the percentages of blind and partially sighted women in the five participating countries who had experienced either psychological or physical violence. The name of the participating country is followed by the number of respondents, the percentage of these who had experienced psychological (psy) violence and the percentage of respondents who had experienced physical (ph) violence:

France             81 -     psy         54,         ph             27;
Germany         12 -     psy         42,          ph             33;
Italy                 448 -     psy         19,         ph               9;
Netherlands     25 -     psy         72,         ph             52;
Spain           2100 -     psy         17.1,      ph               6.2;
Sweden         188 -     psy         26,          ph             12.

Violence; reducing impact and alleviating its effects -

An important element of the Daphne Project was the support initiatives that were developed. Clearly the women who participated in self de fence courses considered these to be of significant value. There was also enthusiasm for the provision of telephone help lines and other personal support facilities. These initiatives clearly help blind and partially sighted women to be better able to cope with the substantial psychological and emotional difficulties that were caused by the violence they had experienced.

SURVEY ON VIOLENCE AGAINST BLIND AND PARTIALLY SIGHTED PEOPLE:

The results of this Survey are summarized in the article entitled - "Results of Surveys on Legislation, Costs and Violence" produced elsewhere in this Newsletter. Readers should study the section of this article entitled 'Survey on Violence Experienced by Blind and Partially Sighted People' before proceeding to read the following paragraphs.

Recommendations for campaigning activities by EBU member organizations.:

The Commission makes seven recommendations for action -

1 Collecting statistical information -

The first action that EBU Member organizations. ought to consider taking is to urge the relevant authorities in their countries to collect, collate and publish statistical information on the incidence and nature of violence experienced by blind and partially sighted people. This information is vital if the anecdotal and statistical information that we have collected is to be verified. Many governments may be reluctant to take measures to deter acts of violence against blind and partially sighted people unless there is clear evidence that the incidence of violence is higher than for the rest of the population of their country.

2 Reporting incidents of violence -

It will also be important for EBU Member organizations. to encourage blind and partially sighted people to report acts of violence that they experience to the relevant authorities. Otherwise, statistical records could underestimate the true incidence of violence perpetrated against blind and partially sighted people.

3 Priority for data collection and apprehending suspects -

The reports of the Daphne Project vividly demonstrate how vulnerable some blind and partially sighted people, especially women and girls, are to violence. Sometimes this is sustained over long periods of time, particularly in domestic settings. It also seems that some perpetrators of violence may be more likely to attack blind and partially sighted people because their victims are more vulnerable and less likely to be in a position to make charges or recognize their attacker. For these reasons, it is important for EBU member organizations. to urge governmental agencies to give priority to collecting information about the nature and incidence of violence experienced by blind and partially sighted people, as well as the identification and charging of suspects.

4 Stiffer penalties -

It is also important for the courts to be in a position to administer punishments that are appropriate to crimes of violence against blind and partially sighted people. In instances where the attacker takes advantage of their victims' inability to recognize them or to protect themselves because of their visual loss, or where the crime is attributable to the defendants' attitude towards blind or partially sighted people, the courts must be in a position to administer harsher punishments. EBU member organizations. should consider campaigning for changes in legislation and/or the sentencing guidance given to criminal courts.

5 Identification of suspects by voice and touch -

There have been instances where the evidence of blind and partially sighted witnesses and victims has not been accepted because of their inability to visually identify suspects or defendants. However, there are circumstances where blind and partially sighted victims or witnesses have heard attackers speak and would be in a position to make a positive identification of suspects and defendants by listening to their voices. It may also be possible in some circumstances, for a blind or partially sighted victim of violence to identify their assailant by tactual identification of physical characteristics. These means of identification should be legally recognized as admissible evidence in a court of law, providing that the same safeguards are taken to ensure an objective identification as are taken when witnesses are called upon to identify suspects or defendants by their visual appearance. EBU member organizations. may need to campaign to persuade government agencies to introduce changes to enable these methods of identification to be legally acceptable.

EBU member organizations. services and activities:

6 Supporting victims -

The reports from the participating countries in the Daphne Project have amply demonstrated how useful the Project's supportive activities were for blind and partially sighted women and girls who participated. Some of these initiatives were designed specifically for blind and partially sighted people. Self de fence instruction is an example. In other instances, blind and partially sighted women and girls were able to access facilities that were provided for other women who are subject to violent attacks. The use of refuges is an example. It is therefore suggested that EBU member organizations. should consider establishing and publicizing the existence of a range of supportive services and activities designed to assist blind and partially sighted women and girls who are experiencing or are threatened with violence. This may require active collaboration with organizations. that provide shelter, counseling/listening services or other support services for women who are victims of violence.

Action for the EBU Board to consider:

7 Blind and partially sighted children and young people -

The specific needs and circumstances of blind and partially sighted children and young people who are experiencing or threatened with violence may require special consideration. The Daphne Project and the Survey on Violence has identified some issues that may be specific to blind and partially sighted children and young people. They may be particularly vulnerable to violence or abuse from relatives, careers or professional staff because of their visual impairments. They may also be especially vulnerable to bullying or harassment from their normally sighted peers. It should be kept in mind that many blind and partially sighted children and young people have additional communication, physical, learning and/or emotional disabilities that can increase their vulnerability to abuse and violence. It is recommended that the Board of EBU considers whether further action is required in this area.




Back to contents



Latest News on the UN Convention to Protect the Rights of Disabled People

By Tony Aston

In the autumn 2005 edition of 'The Messenger', I explained the how the United Nations (UN) was working to elaborate a Convention to protect the rights of disabled people. I described how the world wide disability movement had formed an International Disability Caucus (IDC) to work alongside the UN Ad Hoc Committee, established by the General Assembly to prepare the Convention. Ambassador McKay, Chairman of the AHC had, following its 7th meeting, produced a 'Chairman's Text' of a proposed Convention. This document, circulated in October, synthesised the observations made by the States' Delegations that comprise the AHC during the series of meetings that had previously taken place.

The Chairman's text took account of many of the views that had been expressed by the IDC at AHC meetings. During the three months prior to the 7th meeting of the AHC, the IDC looked in detail at the Chairman's Text and prepared a revised version, incorporating IDC's views on what the Convention should contain. This was available to the AHC State Delegations via the UN 'enable' website prior and during the AHC meeting. The World Blind Union (WBU) contributed to the IDC version by interaction through e-mail discussion pages.

The Chairman had indicated that he intended to work through the entire Chairman's text during the 7th Session and had circulated an outline programme of work, which allowed approximately two hours of discussion for each of the 33 draft Convention Articles. He also indicated that he expected States' Delegations to only propose changes where the Chairman's text was not acceptable to them; minor changes that did not materially alter the meaning were discouraged. The European Union (EU) circulated their proposed changes in advance of the meeting and some other Delegations circulated changes to specific Articles either in advance or during the session.

The last AHC session commenced on 15 January and closed on 3 February - an unusually long meeting as all other AHC sessions lasted for two weeks.

The IDC Convention text was referred to by States' Delegations repeatedly during this session. This, combined with the interventions made by IDC speakers, resulted in reasonably substantial influence by IDC on the discussions. As at previous AHC meetings, the IDC were invited to speak immediately after the completion of States' Delegations' observations and before any other representatives of civil society were able to speak.

Additionally, the Chairman invited IDC to contribute as 'experts' on particular issues during the part of the discussion dedicated to States' contributions. The WBU was represented at the AHC by several blind and partially sighted people. We prepared information sheets on issues of concern to WBU for circulation to States' Delegations, participated in IDC working groups on specific Articles, interacted with members of States' Delegations and spoke on behalf of IDC on some key issues.

At the end of this AHC meeting, the Chairman said that he considered there were relatively few areas where Delegations had proposed substantive changes to the 'Chairman's Text'. He concluded that the work on the Convention Articles was extremely well advanced. He thought that most Articles could be categorized as 'no significant issues remaining', few in the category of 'some issues remaining' and very few in the 'difficult issues remaining' category. He proposed that at the next AHC meeting in August, the AHC should concentrate on substantive issues which remain and on the monitoring Articles. Ambassador McKay envisages the subsequent stage to be referral of the draft text to a drafting Committee. This will review the text in such a way that no substantial changes of meaning will be made. The revised text will then return to the AHC for consideration at a short (1 or 2 hour) meeting prior to ratification by the UN General Assembly. So, we could have a UN Convention on the Rights of Disabled People in existence by this time next year!

The IDC is now beginning to review the draft working text of the Convention that has been produced following the 7th meeting of the AHC. At the August meeting, we will need to concentrate specifically on those issues that are of major concern to the international disability organizations., including WBU.

I think the new working text potentially provides disabled people throughout the world with a broadly based and comprehensive Rights Convention. However, there are some key issues that need to be addressed in the Convention and some of these relate to the needs of blind and partially sighted people. For example, WBU will wish to see in the Convention a definition of disability or a disabled person that is appropriate to people with sensory impairments, as well as those with other disabilities. There is a reference to the removal of copyright barriers in the working draft, but this is currently restricted to cultural aspects. We wish to see the reference positioned where it will have a wider application. The references to support for people in employment need strengthening if this can be achieved, as the Convention is currently not strong enough to facilitate effective supported employment provision. The article on education currently requires States' Parties to ensure that the education of disabled persons, and in particular children who are blind, deaf and deafblind, is delivered in the most appropriate languages and modes and means of communication for the individual, and in environments which maximize academic and social development. We will need to remain vigilant to ensure that this, or a similar reference, is made in the final Convention text.

We have now reached the stage where we must begin to consider how best to exploit the opportunities that this convention will provide. The EBU Commission on the Rights of Blind and Partially Sighted People will begin to address this at its meeting in April.





Back to contents



ON THE SIDE OF WOMEN

by Vanda Dignani

Starting point

The Daphne project , which the European Blind Union firmly believed in and had five committed partners such as France, Italy, the Netherlands, Spain and Sweden, really managed to draw attention to a whole series of violated rights often resulting in crimes perpetrated against blind and partially sighted women.
Such rights have always been there but unfortunately also very often disregarded and abused. As these violations were (and still are) seldom reported, due to shame or fear, violence was underestimated and has consequently increased, causing serious and sometimes shocking situations. Undoubtedly also Italy played an important active role in the project. Besides filling in the questionnaires, we looked for true life testimonies from which emerged sad, difficult situations strictly related to visual disability. We wanted to get to the roots of the issue, to know it in-depth in order to prevent it, and identify all the good practice necessary to find positive solutions.
As a matter of fact, it is to be acknowledged that our work made it possible to raise awareness of this issue within the associations of blind and partially sighted people. It was clear, though, that we should not leave it there, that further action was needed to prevent, fight or relieve various problems in all areas of blind women's life.

A new service

Actually, the Italian Union of the Blind and Partially Sighted (UIC) has always shown great sensitivity and given serious consideration to the problems, needs, and requests expressed by blind and partially sighted women. As a demonstration of that, UIC has recently decided to start a service, foreseeing the establishment of a telephone line available to blind and partially sighted women who need help. Building on a general toll-free number on visual impairment issues which had been in place since 2002, the National Board of the Italian Union of the Blind - upon request of the Commission on Equal Opportunities between men and women which I chair - decided to dedicate the toll-free number to the issues of visually impaired women once a month starting from February 2005. The idea was to offer information and advice as tools to fight marginalization - from employment, income, social networks, decision making and from an adequate quality of life - in other words, to fight social exclusion. Social exclusion, in fact, may lead to poorer outcomes in all areas of life, to conflict and insecurity, to social withdrawal and even to self-defeating behaviour or victimization. We therefore wanted to lend a helping hand to those women who are faced with different and varied challenges, by giving them the opportunity to talk with someone able to listen sympathetically and offer adequate suggestions/solutions in a clear, plain language. My Commission obviously plays a very important role in the above mentioned service whose value and usefulness are self-evident.

Response

At present I am in charge of answering the calls. In my experience as a woman at the service of women, I have really had the chance to see for myself that blind and partially sighted women need someone helping them be their true self and better define their true needs and wishes. The women who called the toll-free number gave me the opportunity to hear about problems related to family life, work, relations and divorce. Some of them said they were very lonely and felt they were not receiving help either from their family or from organizations. A few were complaining about a lack of specific references and effective contacts with UIC local branches. They appreciated the opportunity to talk and saw me as a positive role model.
The response was not so high as expected, though. It is impossible not to underline that the results of the patient work of UIC Commission on equal opportunities between men and women are not totally satisfactory.


Evaluation

The poor response is maybe due to our tradition and to our still deeply male chauvinistic culture, which is very difficult to uproot, but partially also to a lack of enthusiasm and action on the part of women.
Clearly, women should fight to advocate and defend their rights because if it is true that many steps forward have been taken, it is also true that there is still a very long way to go. Undoubtedly it is the task of the Commission to take any opportunity to promote positive actions and develop an open and fair culture. All our efforts go in this direction. On the other hand, the collaboration of the women themselves is indeed vital. Their active interest could produce increased awareness of their dignity and of how valuable a contribution they can make when in decision-making positions, so obtaining full respect of their rights as well as full participation in all aspects of society and in the associations of which they are sensitive and creative members. It is therefore necessary that women join with enthusiasm in the events and services organized for them. After all, it is in this frame of mind that we contributed to the EBU Daphne project delving - with no false shame - into the deepest folds of upsetting personal-social experiences that made us more sad than surprised.

Conclusion

We do not intend to give up. We will go on and multiply our efforts to reach out to more and more blind and partially sighted women and give them the opportunity to find the help they need to lead a balanced and rewarding life and fully develop their potentialities. We will not fail them. We will always be on the side of women.




Back to contents



SAFE WITHOUT SIGHT

By Martynas Vainoras

No one to my knowledge has ever stated that the subject of the safety of blind and partially sighted people is taboo. This is a topic that can and should be written about and discussed. However, in Lithuania we have neither discussed it nor looked for solutions. Robberies and assaults are taking place against blind and partially sighted citizens, but there are no statistics on the incidence of these crimes, nor is there information available about their circumstances.

In some West European countries the safety of blind and partially sighted people is getting increased attention. Seminars are being held and books are being written on this topic. The Lithuanian Association of Blind and Visually Handicapped people (LABVH) has decided to follow the examples that have been set in these countries and start discussing openly the safety of people with visual disabilities.

Between August 16th and 20th 2006 in Šventoji, a seminar entitled “Safe Without Sight“ took place. More than 20 blind and partially sighted people from all over Lithuania participated in this event. There was a diverse audience, with almost equal numbers of men and women, having a wide range of ages and physical capabilities. The seminar was in two parts: theoretical lectures and practical self-defense exercises.

The Seminar started with the recognition that there are high numbers of attacks on blind and partially sighted people, there are no statistics on the incidence of these crimes and there is no one teaching blind and partially sighted people methods of self-defense. Psychologist G. Navikas introduced the participants to theoretical and psychological aspects of safety and explained how other senses can be used in order to avoid undesirable or dangerous situations. Even though sight is the most important channel through which we receive most of the information about our surroundings, it is not the only sense that can help us to avoid danger. Senses such as hearing and smell, as well as our intuition can play important role in self protection.

The Trainer also taught the practical skills of self-defense. First, it is important to know how to fall without injury when attacked. Secondly, in case of need, we must be able to attack our aggressor, using fists, elbows and legs. Thirdly, we should know how to free ourselves from the aggressor if he’s holding our clothes, hands or neck. At the end of the seminar every participant was able to check their physical flexibility, speed of reaction and ability to maintain focus in difficult situations.

Of course, just a few days was not enough for the participants to learn skills that need long, continuous and patient training to achieve physical and psychological competence for self protection. However, neither the organizers of the seminar or the participants had any expectations to become supermen in three or four days. The seminar “Safe Without Sight” was held with the purpose of starting to address this issue. It was also the intention of LABVH to promote the organization of similar seminars in other Lithuanian towns and cities, some of whom have expressed interest in this possibility.

We must consider though, how realistic is it for blind or partially sighted people to oppose their aggressors? It has been stated that openly displayed weakness and amateur self-defense fires anger and aggression in the attacker. So, anyone protecting themselves by self-defense should believe that he/she can succeed. At the very least the person that is attacked needs to be sure that the actions taken will stop or at least confuse the aggressor. Of course, not everyone is capable of confident self-defense. This should not however prevent those blind and partially sighted people who have the ability to acquire and practice self defense skills from doing so.

We should also be aware that experience demonstrates that skills of self-defense can benefit physically weaker and older people too. They are not likely to be able to protect themselves from attacks by physically strong and experienced aggressors, but they might well defend themselves from so called “street rats” who are expecting easy gains. These people usually have little physical strength or courage. Blind and partially sighted people are likely to be victims of attacks from such criminals. They are usually courageous only until the first effective resistance has been made.

The Psychological aspect of personal safety also has to be addressed. LABVH considers this is what future seminars should focus on. The psychologist at the seminar that we organized told the participants about a situation that he personally observed. Three students were sitting on the bench in downtown Vilnius. A gipsy approached them, took one aside, and most probably successfully fooled her. Why did that gipsy decide to approach that particular student? How did she select her from the friends as her potential victim? The psychologist admitted trying to bribe the gipsy to reveal her secret, but he didn’t succeed. Most probably there is nothing mysterious about this. Our facial expression and movements reveal how we feel, what weaknesses we possess, or how tired or un focused we are. It is not easy for blind and partially sighted people to avoid becoming a victim, yet, it is not mission impossible. Understanding some aspects of psychology would help us to handle such conflicts. One of the most famous Japanese samurais (and one can admit – they know how to handle weapons ) once noted, that the most successful fight is an avoided fight.

Back to contents
 

 

CONVENTION UPDATE

By Tony Aston

In the Spring edition of 'The Messenger' I explained that we were now in the final stages of the elaboration of a United Nations (UN) Convention to protect the rights of disabled people.

The UN Ad Hoc Committee that was set up by the UN General Assembly five years ago to negotiate the Convention met for the eighth time in New York in August. At the end of it's two week meeting it adopted the text of a Convention. This text is currently being reviewed by a Drafting Committee at the UN. The Committee is ensuring that the terms used in the text are consistent and there are no undesirable repetitions. When this tidying up is completed and the text has been produced in the range of languages used at the UN, it will return briefly to a short meeting of the Ad Hoc Committee for a final reading before being submitted for ratification to the UN General Assembly, hopefully before the end of 2006. Shortly after that it will be open to signature by States and it will come into force in States that have appended their signatures when twenty countries have signed the Convention.

Most of the individuals and organizations. that represent the interests of disabled people who have been involved in the Convention negotiations think that the adoption by the UN of this Convention will be a very important step forward in improving the rights of disabled people throughout the world. It will set a benchmark against which we can judge nation's recognition and provision of rights for disabled people. However, we are not going to see significant changes happening quickly. The Convention also has its limitations.

It was recognized right from the start that this Convention would not confer any additional rights on disabled people that do not exist in other UN Conventions and Treaties. However, this raft of Conventions and Treaties hardly mentions disabled people. In the main they have not existed in the minds either of the diplomats who crafted their texts, the governments who implemented their provisions or the UN bodies that monitored their implementation. What this Convention does in broad terms is ensure that disabled people will now have the opportunity to benefit from the rights that are available to other citizens in countries that have signed up to the UN Conventions and Treaties.

The Convention has other limitations. Some of its wording gives governments scope to do a lot or very little. Phrases like 'take appropriate steps to…' , 'promote', and 'recognize' are often used. Additionally, much of the text is subject to the principle of progressive realization. This will enable countries, especially developing countries, to defer implementation of many sections of the Convention because of shortage of resources or other pressing priorities. This applies, for example, to the Article on Accessibility.

Governments will also need to consider the extent to which adoption of the Convention will impact on their countries' legislation. Some countries may decide to pass enabling legislation which will have the effect of amending their laws to comply with the Convention. Others will have to change each affected piece of legislation. Countries with formal constitutions may need to amend their provisions. This stage of assimilation could take a long time, perhaps some years to complete.

However, it is clear that it is absolutely essential for the major action to campaign for the implementation of this Convention to take place at a national level. The EBU Commission on the Rights of Blind and Partially Sighted People is therefore encouraging EBU national member organizations. to actively campaign for its implementation in a way that will benefit blind and partially sighted people. In future issues of this Newsletter we will be identifying those sections of the Convention which are most important to blind and partially sighted people and describing the tools we are developing that will help EBU member organizations. to implement and monitor the Convention.

Back to contents