Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
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Unequal justice
- Author:
- FAREED Faiza
- Journal article citation:
- Viewpoint, November 2006, pp.16-19.
- Publisher:
- Mencap/Gateway
The author reports on the work of Liverpool’s Investigations Support Unit which works to support people with a learning disability in the criminal justice system. it provides witness support, preparation and profiling for people with a learning disability giving evidence in court. To date, the unit has worked with 30 witnesses through 27 trials, most alleging serious sexual or physical assault. Of these 18 out of 21 prosecutions have been successful.
Friend or fake? Mate crimes and people with learning disabilities
- Author:
- GRUNDY David
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Learning Disabilities and Offending Behaviour, 2(4), 2011, pp.167-169.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
This short article explores the issues of ‘mate’ crime, which many people with a learning disability are victims of. For some this will lead them into committing criminal acts and bring them into contact with the criminal justice system. Mate crime is a hidden crime, reporting of these crimes is low; they are often committed by people who the person with a learning disability thought was their friend. There are examples of people taken advantage of by friends which have led to drug dealing in their flat, flats used for the storing of stolen goods and women with a learning disability into prostitution. The article concludes that the criminal justice system needs a greater awareness for the role of those around the person with a learning disability when they are charged with criminal offences.
Who cares about disabled victims of crime? Barriers and facilitators for redress
- Author:
- LEWIN Barbro
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Policy and Practice in Intellectual Disabilities, 4(3), September 2007, pp.170-176.
- Publisher:
- Wiley
The author identified and discusses barriers and facilitators for public action after the occurrence of abuse against an adult with an intellectual disability (ID). Data were collected via a postal survey sent to guardians in one Swedish region with questions about suspected abuse against their wards (n = 978), of whom 392 had an ID (the remaining were affected by dementia or had another physical or mental disability). The rate of abuse was 4.8% (n = 19) among those wards with an ID. A range of abuses were reported, but there were no significant statistical differences attributed by sex of the wards. Facilitating examples for redress in the statutory framework were identified, but it was observed that implementation of redress was often flawed. Three alternative public actions were discussed: (1) victims' refusal to contact the public sector; (2) internal handling by the social services; and (3) reporting to police (but case closed). Findings showed that there were difficulties in understanding that passive respect for integrity and autonomy is not in line with the public ethos that demands actively caring for dependent wards, that offences in residential settings were sometimes handled internally and not reported in accord with the statutory framework, and that the ability of the criminal justice system to compensate for communicative disabilities seemed deficient.
Victims of complacency?
- Authors:
- CALCRAFT Rebecca, KITSON Deborah
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 19.06.03, 2003, pp.38-40.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
A number of Labour initiatives have aimed to protect vulnerable adults from abuse. The authors review Labour's policies and legislative initiatives and assesses progress to date.
Ensuring justice is done
- Author:
- HORROCKS Christiana
- Journal article citation:
- Community Living, 12(4), April 1999, p.20.
- Publisher:
- Hexagon Publishing
Outlines the work of VOICE UK which, in addition to providing a network of services for people with learning difficulties who have experienced crime or abuse, has taken a pioneering role in influencing policy and changing the justice system.
Neglecting justice? Exploring Scottish convictions for ill-treatment and wilful neglect
- Authors:
- GODWIN Christopher, MACKAY Kathryn
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Adult Protection, 17(4), 2015, pp.234-244.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Purpose: This paper explores the perceived low number of Scottish criminal convictions in cases of ill-treatment or wilful neglect of adults where the victims experienced mental disorder, and/or incapacity. Human rights and anti-discrimination legislation are drawn upon to consider whether victims are gaining equality of access to justice through the charging and conviction of those who commit these offences. Design/methodology/approach: The paper uses the concept of parity of participation to first set out the wider legal framework in which access of justice takes place and to try to determine how it may be working in practice. Second the paper explores Scottish guidance, research and case law in relation ill-treatment or wilful neglect to evaluate the seeming lack of progress towards criminal convictions. Findings: Whilst the legal framework appears to promote equality of access to justice, little is known about how it is working in practice; in particular whether cultural barriers to participation are being addressed. Evaluation of Scottish statistical data on cases of ill-treatment and wilful neglect revealed a small number of cases progressing to court though there were challenges in constructing a pathway from charges to convictions. There also appeared to be no Scottish legal opinions published in connection with these cases. In addition lack of research means that little is known about why cases progress, and how victims might be being supported through the process. Research limitations/implications: It is suggested that these gaps in information, in comparison to England and Wales, might be hindering practice. In particular the apparent lack of operational definitions for ill-treatment and wilful neglect in Scotland may reduce the use of this type of criminal offence. As such criminal offences embedded within civil mental health and mental capacity legislation may currently be hidden in plain sight. The human rights consequences of the issues raised in this paper are argued as significant. Research is needed to fill these gaps and inform future guidance and training. Practical implications: Improved Scottish guidance and publicity of this issue is required. Local inter-agency discussions and training could develop a better understanding of how these offences have been defined and how disabled people might be supported through the legal processes. The Scottish publication of statistical information for charging and convictions might usefully record these offences separately to give them a greater public profile in the future. (Edited publisher abstract)
Invisible victims: crime and abuse against people with learning disabilities
- Author:
- WILLIAMS Christopher
- Publisher:
- Jessica Kingsley
- Publication year:
- 1995
- Pagination:
- 159p.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- London
Outlines the range and nature of victimization against people with learning difficulties, putting the victimization in the context of relevant legislation. Also looks at perpetrators, prevention, and reporting. Goes on to outline how to achieve redress for victims with learning difficulties through the police and the courts, and creative alternatives to these usual channels.
Vulnerable people as victims of crime: recent developments in England and Wales
- Author:
- WILLIAMS Brian
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Adult Protection, 1(2), November 1999, pp.22-25.
- Publisher:
- Emerald
Starting from the standpoint that adult protection has significant overlaps with a range of other areas of interest, this article considers how criminal justice systems in key countries are responding to the challenge of vulnerable adults. American, Canadian and UK legal frameworks and recent practice are examined in relation to vulnerable adults as victims, witnesses and perpetrators. Particular attention is paid to the implementation of the Crime and Disorder Act, 1988.
Crime against people with learning difficulties: what is happening?; a position paper
- Author:
- WILLIAMS Christopher
- Publisher:
- University of Bristol. Norah Fry Research Centre
- Publication year:
- 1993
- Pagination:
- 52p.,list of orgs.,bibliog.
- Place of publication:
- Bristol
Provides a current awareness of the nature of crime against people with learning difficulties, police responses and reporting of these crimes, and court procedures. A 'parallel text' for those who find reading difficult is provided.