Published on 12, July, 2020
Hi everyone. I apologise for not coming here very often, but I would like to know if someone can share opinions on a problem I am currently experiencing.
I am in my fifties, I'm originally from Italy but I'm been living in Scotland. I've been working from home for several years because of my problem talking/relating to colleagues. I was diagnosed in my forties and I've never received any real help for my problems regarding socialising.
Since I spend a lot of time at home, I grew plants in my backyard and I feed birds as a hobby. I'm not a crazy bird-lady. I have a degree in veterinary medicine and I feed birds responsibly. All my neighbours have the typical yards with lawn that gets regularly mowed every two-three weeks and they think that my backyard is a disgrace. One of the family who lives next to me has a special hatred for the birds (there are a few pigeons, but the neighbours hate anything that flies and chirps). They reported me to the council a few times, but the council has never found anything wrong with what I'm doing. I tried the mediation service in the past but with no results.
Since April, the son (in his twenties) has begun working from home and he is determined to scare the birds away from my property, making noises when he hears them. He and his parents are also becoming progressively aggressive towards me, and they have started calling me names. I have reported them to the police twice and the police only recorded my complaint.
I live most of the time on my own and my neighbours know very well that I am isolated and shy.
If someone has been in a similar situation and has advices for me, I would like to hear them. Apologies for the long post.
A good deterrent for bullies is to associate with well built men. Invite a few around for lunch every so often. Failing that, I'm pretty sure that bullying is a crime. Keep a diary, with photos if you can, of their activities. Don't let anyone know that you are keeping a diary. If the bullying does not stop present a well kept diary to the Police. Keep a copy of your diary (photo format will be fine).
It's such a ball ache to do which is why many people don't bother. Those who have, have seen better results than those who have not.
The party is such a lovely idea! Unfortunately, I don't know that many people! My sister has a very respectable job and she helps in these kind of situations, but, since the pandemic, she has been in Scotland less regularly. And, of course, my neighbours are never in sight when she's here. They always pick on me when I'm on my own.
I am keeping a diary, as well as making images and recordings every time I can. Today I sent a form to the council reporting my neighbours' antisocial behaviour. Dealing with authorities always make me nervous because of negative experiences I had in the past, before my diagnosis, but I am afraid that, if I don't do anything at all, my neighbours would become even more abusive.