Book and pen

26 January 2011 Bullied at Uni by Security staff

 

My name is Asa Marshal, I am 22 years old, I was born with a disability called Cerebral Palsy, which means I cannot use my limbs properly and use a wheelchair to get around. I am studying at Bucks New University in High Wycombe. I am in my final year of Audio & Music Production. I have thoroughly enjoyed, and am enjoying my time there, besides one particular matter...

At the University I use an electric wheelchair to get around which is stored and charged in an old security office everyday. Every time I need my chair, I have to ask the security guards/ night guards to open the room. For the past year I have been getting a lot of grief from two night guards. There have been many incidents where they have been rude towards me, not cared, and have even bullied me emotionally and mentally. This has been going on from the end of March 2010, but I have just tried to forgive and forget hoping it would stop. However, in the beginning of December I experienced a really frightening incident, and that was the last straw for me.

It was about 8pm, it was snowing, cold, and the temperature was -8. I had been out in town working with our university charity, RAG.  I had been out in town for nearly three hours taking the elderly Christmas shopping. My wheelchair takes up more battery power if the surface is icy, snowy, sandy, pebbly etc. I had noticed that my wheelchair was running out of power, so I went back to university to charge my wheelchair.

The night guards were on duty; I asked one (guard A) of them to open the old security room for me, I went in the room with him, and he suddenly turned cold towards me saying that I cannot charge my wheelchair in the room. He knows that since I have been at the university, I have always done that. He said I had to go and find another socket somewhere else and charge it. I showed him that I could hardly move my chair anymore because of the low battery, but he showed no concern or sympathy and asked me to just leave the room, and at this point he went away.

My charger was taken out of the room and was put somewhere without me knowing. As I struggled to make my way out of the room on very low battery, I asked the other night guard (guard B) where my charger had gone, he said you’re not getting it, and then started laughing.

I asked him a few times, but each time I got no response. Luckily, I managed to find my charger on top of a window cell outside the old security room. I found a socket near there and started charging my chair. While I was doing this, he came and stood next to me, then started bullying and mentally abusing me saying "what are you gonna do now, what are you doing at uni, you're a worthless piece of shit, I know what you're like, I hate helping you, I don't want to talk to you or know you" etc. I felt shocked and intimidated, low, worthless, imprisoned and tortured. I couldn’t move because of my broken down wheelchair and I just couldn’t do anything. I felt so vulnerable, he had me right where he wanted and there was nothing I could do.

I reported this to my university, Disability Service manager, my principle and the Director of Student Experiences. The Director of Student Experiences was now dealing and investigating my case. After a month of investigations, she said and had written a report saying that she had interviewed staff members, my friends and my notetakers to see if there were any witnesses to any incidents regarding that night. She said she was unable to find any solid witnesses or evidence to them bullying & abusing me, even though my two friends told her, and had handed in a written statement saying that they were a witness to an incidence which occurred at the end of May 2010, in the evening. Guard B had stormed into the university's reception, was swearing and making rude comments about me, used obscene language and even threatened to call the police on me.If my friends had witnessed this one incident, obviously it was an on-going thing, but it looks like she has failed to acknowledge this.

She was looking for evidence & proof - They are security guards, and know the ins & outs of the CCTV's around our uni building, they used to bully me (mainly guard B) when no one was around to witness and did it in a room where there are no security cameras. Even if there was any video evidence, they have full control over the cameras, footage and computers; they could have easily erased any proof. 

The only thing the uni has done for me is to give me another room to store my wheelchair so I don’t have to ask security for assistance. Because nothing has been done, the guards think they have ‘won’ and are telling students and staff around uni that I’ve gone crazy and hallucinating things, I’m a troublemaker, I like the attention, I’m a stalker etc. Some people have believed their twisted words and have become very distant with me or give me dirty looks and whisper whenever they see me.

I am absolutely appalled and disappointed that nothing has been done about this situation, more so frustrated and upset. It is not on, and something needs to be done. I wish to take this matter further and to take action where there is hope.

Has anyone else had an experience like this? What did you do about it? Does anyone know of any people companies that can help me? Please could you let me know, I would really appreciate your help. Thanks :)

 

 

 

 

 

Posted by: Asa Marshal
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9 Comments

  • Jennifer Gallacher replied on 26 Jan 2011 at 16:40
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    what about the police?
    it sounds very frightening and I wouldnt like to be in that situation.

  • Asa Marshal replied on 26 Jan 2011 at 23:57
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    Thanks for your comment Jennifer. Tried the police, they just took down my statement and after a few weeks they said they're not going to get involved anymore, its between me and the uni :|

  • Tanvi Vyas replied on 27 Jan 2011 at 10:42
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    Hey Asa,

    What a horrific experience. This is totally unacceptable, how do you feel about the University's response to the situation? Do you think they could do more. I dont think they have explored every avenue and are hoping it will go away.

    Have you spoken to your NUS disabled students officer/welfare officer? This could be another way of gaining support.

    I think the guard talking about the incident afterwards is so unproffessional and should be flagged up too.
    We would be willing to help in whichever way we can.

  • Catherine Alexander replied on 27 Jan 2011 at 13:19
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    Hi Asa,

    I'm so sorry you had to go through this, it's completely unacceptable and should definitely not be tolerated by the university. I'd definitely take it further, potentially involving the Vice Chancellor if needed. I'd also second Tanvi's suggestion of speaking to your union welfare rep, or the student newspaper about this, as they may be able to put pressure on the university to take more appropriate action. Also maybe local press if you'd like to get the media involved?

    By the way, is this arrangement put in your DSA assessment? If it is, I'm not sure if there's any legal requirement by the university to ensure it's in place, but it could be worth checking out. At the very least I'd speak to the EHRC as this is definitely a breach of your human rights!

    Catherine

  • David Gale replied on 27 Jan 2011 at 15:19
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    Ohhh my blood is boiling reading this!!!

    How can people be like this?!??!?!

    Its really upsetting to read that in this day and age people can be so horrid, hope you can fight this all the way and i am sure plenty of us would help support your cause if needed.

    Dave

  • J Ensell replied on 27 Jan 2011 at 17:05
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    Contact the EHRC. Hopefully someone there can advocate for you. The university is in clear breach of the DDA. If there are reports of them spreading malicious rumours about you, that is hate speech and someone needs to explain to the police that they are duty bound to act.
    http://www.equalityhumanrights.com/

  • Nila Patel replied on 28 Jan 2011 at 16:11
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    Hi Asa

    I am totally and utterly horrified by this. I'm no expert but is this disability hate ? It sounds like it to me. I took the liberty of tweeting this blog to get some advice from others. A few people got back to me. Recommendations below.

    From RADAR Disability - contact the NUS
    Rupy Kaur, Disability Officer at NUS or

    Citizens Advice Bureau - contact your local CAB office

    Anonymous - Take it to the Vice Chancellor of the University, the local paper, local MP, & try Radar, Leonard Cheshire, @bbcouch. (If the police get involved, it could be a case of disability hate which should be taken very seriously).

    You said the police didn't take you seriously, it's terrible that they didn't which is why it sounds like you need one or more of the organisations above to 'advocate' on your behalf.

    I sincerely hope you can fight this. You have my full support and I'm sure other Trailblazers will support you too.

    Good luck, Nila

  • Bobby Ancil replied on 28 Jan 2011 at 16:24
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    Hi Asa

    Thanks for being prepared to discuss this with other members of Trailblazers. I'm glad Nila recommended the contacts we discussed at the NUS.

    For anyone else out there who might be facing similar situations please don't hesitate to email me and I'm more than happy to offer a bit of support and or advice.

    All the best

    Bobby

  • Asa Marshal replied on 29 Jan 2011 at 16:29
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    Guys thank you so much for your help, support & love. I really appreciate it, & it means a lot. Will keep you posted on the situation, & lets hope we can get the justice we deserve! xx

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