A recent survey by Bolt Burdon Kemp examines the empowerment of the British public in seeking justice.
- Most participants feel knowledgeable about addressing events of medical negligence and workplace discrimination.
- There’s a gender gap, with men feeling more confident than women in handling traumatic situations.
- Younger generations show both more trust in the police and less preparedness in difficult situations.
- Regional disparities exist, particularly in Northern Ireland and among lower income groups.
A survey conducted by specialist lawyers Bolt Burdon Kemp encompassed 2,000 British adults, gauging their empowerment in seeking justice. The research highlighted that a significant portion of the public, particularly in situations relating to medical negligence and workplace discrimination, feel knowledgeable in addressing these issues. Notably, 31% of respondents expressed comfort in approaching the police regarding such matters, whereas 62% were aware of the necessary steps if faced with inappropriate conduct by a doctor. Additional data revealed that half of the respondents believe their workplace adequately addresses complaints related to bullying, discrimination, or harassment. However, challenges persist, as a majority think accessing legal support remains prohibitively expensive, and barriers to obtaining such support are prevalent.
The survey unearthed stark gender differences in perceptions of empowerment, with data indicating that men are more likely to feel confident and capable of handling traumatic situations compared to women. According to the findings, a higher percentage of women than men expressed concerns about credibility when reporting to police or legal entities; 19% of women feared disbelief compared to 14% of men, while 15% feared blame versus 11% of men. Furthermore, the survey recorded a slight disparity between men and women in their knowledge of where to file sexual harassment complaints, with 56% of men confident compared to 52% of women.
In examining age-related differences, younger individuals, while trusting of police to a greater degree than their older counterparts, appear less prepared when confronting challenging situations. For example, 45% of young adults aged 16-24 knew where to make a sexual harassment complaint, in contrast to 55% of those aged over 35. Moreover, hesitancy stemming from potential disbelief when approaching legal support was notably higher among the younger demographic, with 23% expressing reluctance, a figure significantly higher than the 15% noted among older individuals. Conversely, 35% of young adults reported a willingness to approach police, marking a slight increase over the 31% recorded among the over-35s.
In terms of regional differences, Northern Ireland emerged as an area where public empowerment in justice was notably lower. Merely 28% of its residents knew the appropriate procedures following a medical misdiagnosis, compared to the national average of 43%. Within the workplace, only 48% felt comfortable raising discrimination complaints, significantly lower than the 55% national average. Despite these shortcomings, a majority in Northern Ireland expressed comfort in approaching law firms for assistance.
The survey also highlighted a correlation between income levels and feelings of empowerment. Individuals earning £15,000 or less annually felt significantly less confident in managing traumatic situations than those with higher incomes. Only 40% of low-income earners indicated knowing the steps to take when faced with medical misdiagnosis, compared to 46% of those earning £55,000 or more. The former group also conveyed greater hesitancy in confronting sexual abuse situations, concerned about credibility and the potential impacts on personal relationships.
The findings suggest a need for enhanced education and support on legal rights across diverse demographics in the UK.
