Adults with learning disabilities and the criminal justice system: their rights and our responsibilities: report of a summit held in Glasgow on 27 October 2008

Author:
SCOTLAND. Scottish Government
Publisher:
Scotland. Scottish Government
Publication year:
2009
Pagination:
35p.
Place of publication:
Edinburgh

In April 2008, the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland reported on the case of a woman with a learning disability who was repeatedly sexually abused over many years. Although some of these offences were reported to the police, no one was prosecuted, in part because the complainer was judged not to be a competent witness. The Commission’s report Justice Denied concluded that the woman, known as Ms A, was effectively denied justice, and raised the possibility that this case was not an isolated example. In response to the report, the Scottish Government is taking the recommendations into account to ensure that the justice system continues to improve the protection and support for victims and witnesses with learning disabilities. This summit was organised jointly by the Health and Justice Directorates of the Scottish Government, the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service (COPFS) and the Law Society of Scotland, with assistance from the Equality and Human Rights Commission. Representatives from NHS Scotland, prosecutors, social work, police, the legal profession and voluntary organisations were brought together to consider the best way forward. People with learning disabilities played a prominent part in the day’s proceedings.

Subject terms:
learning disabilities, police, user views, criminal justice;
Content type:
government publication
Location(s):
Scotland
Link:
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ISBN print:
978 0 7559 8011 6

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