Swastikas, genitals and threats of sexual violence towards children were posted during a Stormont meeting for parents of young people with Special Educational Needs (SEN). The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) said it is investigating the incident. The meeting was held in Parliament Buildings in Stormont and attended by parents, young people and MLAs. BBC News NI has heard that an individual who had joined remotely online posted an explicit image and messages which threatened sexual violence on children. A Zoom link was provided for those who could not attend in person due to caring responsibilities. The meeting was organised by the SEN Reform NI and Caleb's Cause NI organisations. Led by parents, the two organisations have campaigned for better educational provision for children and young people with SEN. Caleb's Cause NI hascalled for more support for school leavers with SEN. Sen Reform NI, meanwhile,has brought together parents to raise issues about school places and other support for children with SEN. The title of the meeting, held on Monday in Stormont's Long Gallery, was "Equity in Education." It was to launch the results of a study the two organisations had carried out into the challenges for families of children with SEN based on responses from parents and carers. The meeting was attended by parents, some young people, a number of MLAs and also organisations who support children and adults with disabilities, while remote access was also available. Fiona Cole, who had helped with the event at Stormont, called what had happened a "hate crime". She said the Zoom had been launched when the event started at 17:00 (BST). "At about five past five a person with an alias called Gemma came on to the zoom and showed a profile picture of his genitals," Ms Cole told BBC News NI's Evening Extra programme. "He then hijacked the whiteboard function on the Zoom and started to create some seriously disturbing content. "He included drawing genitals, swastikas, and unfortunately then continued to write horrific messages of sexual content towards the children. "When we were made aware that this was happening, unfortunately we had to close that event as it was now a safeguarding issue." Ms Cole said that around 120 people attended the event in person and 46 people on Zoom. She said that as far as the organisers were aware, no children had seen the pictures or messages, but SEN Reform NI and Caleb's Cause NI had reached out to "check on the wellbeing" of those who attended online. "It was disturbing and it has left some people very, very vulnerable, very worried," she said. "It has an impact on everybody." She said people were "really shocked that somebody would do this to an event that has literally been designed to elevate the voices of people with learning disabilities and Special Educational Needs". Ms Cole said some parents who had organised the meeting "couldn't even get in the car to drive today because they were so shaken". She said, though, that the organisations would "learn from this as well" and may have to restrict online access to meetings in future. In a joint statement after the incident, SEN Reform NI and Caleb's Cause NI issued an apology for the incident, calling what had happened "absolutely disgusting". In a subsequent statement to BBC News NI, SEN Reform NI and Caleb's Cause NI said "parents and children with special educational needs were victimised and subject to abuse from an individual who, without authorisation, accessed a community Zoom call". "An individual chose to violate the sanctity of the group and has been reported to the PSNI," it added. The PSNI said a report of indecent exposure online in the east Belfast area has been received at around 12:00 (BST) on Tuesday. A spokesperson said enquiries are ongoing and have asked for anyone with information that could assist police to contact them.
Threats of sexual violence made online in Stormont meeting
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"Investigation Underway Following Disturbing Incident at Stormont Meeting for Families with Special Educational Needs"
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TruthLens AI Summary
During a recent meeting held at Stormont for parents of children with Special Educational Needs (SEN), an individual participating remotely posted explicit content and made threats of sexual violence towards children. The incident occurred on a Zoom call that was intended to launch a study by SEN Reform NI and Caleb's Cause NI, organizations advocating for better educational support for children with SEN. The meeting, titled 'Equity in Education,' attracted around 120 attendees in person and 46 online. Fiona Cole, who assisted in organizing the event, described the situation as a hate crime, detailing how the perpetrator hijacked the Zoom whiteboard feature to display disturbing images and messages. The meeting was promptly shut down to address the safeguarding issue, and the organizations have since reached out to ensure the wellbeing of attendees, particularly those who may have been affected by the incident.
The Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) has launched an investigation into the matter, with reports of indecent exposure received shortly after the incident. Both SEN Reform NI and Caleb's Cause NI condemned the actions of the individual, stating that parents and children with SEN were victimized during what was supposed to be a supportive event. They expressed their shock and dismay at the disruption of a gathering meant to elevate the voices of individuals with learning disabilities. In light of this event, the organizations are considering tighter controls on online access for future meetings to prevent similar occurrences. The PSNI is actively seeking information from the public to assist in their ongoing investigation into this distressing incident.
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