Disfigured women back charity in campaign to ‘Stop the Stare’

TWO Yorkshire women with visible differences have shared their experiences of discrimination as a charity launches a campaign to ‘Stop the Stare’.

Nearly a third (28 per cent) of people with a visible difference are stared at, while over half (51 per cent) say they have felt selfconscious or embarrassed, according to Changing Faces.

The campaigning charity found that people with visible differences have experienced an increase in hostile behaviour when they go out in public, with a rise from a third (34 per cent) in 2019 to over two in five (43 per cent) in 2021.

Visible differences, defined as a scar, mark or condition on the face or body, affect around one in five people, according to Changing Faces.

Emma, an artist from Huddersfield, who has Char Syndrome, a genetic condition which affects facial development, said: “When I was younger, I used to get very frustrated and irritated by people who stared at me because of my visible difference, and sadly it was something I accepted as part of everyday life, which made me feel lonely and impacted my selfesteem.

“This is something that has required me to ‘unlearn’ over the years – respectful behaviour should be the norm.

“As I’ve got older, I’ve appreciated when children and parents sometimes come over and speak to me when I’m out and about in a welcoming way.

“I prefer this approach to parents who drag their children away, which makes me feel ignored and excluded.”

Fellow artist Isobel, 25 from Harrogate, who has a cleft lip and palate, said: “As a person with a visible difference, I’ve been aware of the impact of staring in daily life, and it does affect how you navigate the world on a daily basis.

“For me, that could be down to where I stand on the pavement, away from the edge, and away from potential stares passing cars.”

“My sister and I have created inclusive life drawing classes that celebrate diversity, where models feel safe to see and be themselves and be seen. However, I know from experience this isn’t yet a norm, both in the creative world and in daily life.

“People with visible differences are often disempowered by stares, which can lead to not wanting to be seen.”

Changing Faces chief executive Heather Blake said: “With limited opportunities to socialise, people shielding, and visible differences being obscured by masks and face coverings, perhaps seeing a diverse range of faces and body types hasn’t been as commonplace in the past two years.

“But frankly that’s no excuse. It’s simply not acceptable that people are experiencing negative behaviours, abuse and discrimination because of how they look.”

It does affect how you navigate the world on a daily basis. Artist Isobel, 25, from Harrogate, who has a cleft lip and palate.