Search results for ‘Subject term:"learning disabilities"’ Sort:
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Towards a fairer system of justice
- Author:
- TURNBULL Deborah
- Journal article citation:
- Community Living, 12(4), April 1999, pp.18-19.
- Publisher:
- Hexagon Publishing
People with learning difficulties have to overcome some formidable obstacles to get their cases heard in court. This article describes the process the Crown Prosecution Service undertakes before cases are brought and how vulnerable witnesses can be helped without prejudicing the defendants' right to a fair trial.
Easing the way to legal redress
- Author:
- ASPIS Simone
- Journal article citation:
- Community Living, 13(1), July 1999, pp.6-7.
- Publisher:
- Hexagon Publishing
The Youth Justice Criminal Evidence Bill will make it much easier for victims with learning difficulties to get their cases heard in court. But it will still require the co-operation of managers to ensure that instances of abuse are properly reported.
Helping hands
- Author:
- COHEN Phil
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 12.2.98, 1998, pp.18-19.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
For victims of crime who have learning difficulties the experience of going to court can often be as painful as the original ordeal. Finds out about schemes set up to help them negotiate the criminal justice system.
Suspects who have a learning disability: police perceptions toward the client group and their knowledge about learning disabilities
- Authors:
- GENDLE Kate, WOODHAMS Jessica
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Intellectual Disabilities, 9(1), March 2005, pp.70-81.
- Publisher:
- Sage
- Place of publication:
- London
More than a million people in the UK have a learning disability. A small but significant proportion of these people will come into contact with the criminal justice system because they have offended or have been accused of an offence. This article reports on the perceptions of police officers toward this potentially vulnerable group and their knowledge of issues related to learning disabilities. Interview data were collected from eight police sergeants employed by Humberside Police and analysed using qualitative techniques. The article concludes that further training in the subject area is required. This is likely to be successful in the force under study due to their promotion of positive perceptions toward people with learning disabilities.
Re-assessing the social worker's role as an appropriate adult
- Author:
- WHITE Ciaran
- Journal article citation:
- Journal of Social Welfare and Family Law, 24(1), 2002, pp.55-65.
- Publisher:
- Taylor and Francis
- Place of publication:
- Philadelphia, USA
The role of the appropriate adult is a small but significant element of the criminal justice system, designed to offer some degree of protection to particular categories of vulnerable person suspects; namely juveniles and mentally disordered persons in police detention. The role is quite often performed by social workers, though it is not exclusive to them. However, authorities have given little detailed thought as to how the duties of the appropriate adult are to be complied with and it appears that very often social workers are not trained in performing the role. This article suggests that we re-appraise our expectations of those asked to fill the role of the appropriate adult, offering them more detailed guidance on specific issues. It also explores how organized training could help social workers to discharge the role in a manner commensurate with its spirit.
Objection sustained
- Author:
- HORROCKS Christiana
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 9.10.97, 1997, p.27.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
Asks why the Crown Prosecution Service is often reluctant to follow its own best practice guidelines when a person with learning difficulties reports a crime.
Judicial process
- Author:
- WILLIAMS Chris
- Journal article citation:
- Community Care, 9.10.97, 1997, pp.28-29.
- Publisher:
- Reed Business Information
The first author says the Crown Prosecution Service(CPS) has a long way to go before victims and witnesses with learning difficulties are treated fairly and sympathetically. The second author argues the CPS does not live up to its aspirations because vulnerable people who have been attacked often have to face the humiliation of being disbelieved when they complain.
A voice for the voiceless: the Victims' Commissioner’s review into the provision of registered intermediaries for children and vulnerable victims and witnesses
- Author:
- VICTIMS' COMMISSIONER
- Publisher:
- Victims' Commissioner's Office
- Publication year:
- 2018
- Pagination:
- 90
- Place of publication:
- London
This review presents the findings from a research project carried out by the Victims’ Commissioner into the provision of Registered Intermediaries (RIs) for children and vulnerable witnesses. Registered Intermediaries (RIs) are specialists in communication provided to children and vulnerable victims and provide support in giving evidence to the police and at trial under. The review looks at the allocation of RI’s to victims and witnesses who are eligible; management of the Witness Intermediary Scheme (WIS) which is responsible for the provision of RIs; the awareness and understanding of the role of RIs by police officers and Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) Advocates; how WIS users assess the vulnerability and eligibility of victims and witnesses, and the process of matching requests with a suitably qualified and skilled RI. The review includes a survey of 122 RIs and interviews with 20 service users of the WIS. The results found that RIs are effective in providing communication assistance for vulnerable victims and witnesses and providing them with equality of access to justice. It also found that Police and CPS are positive about the impact of RIs. However, findings also indicate that not all eligible vulnerable victims and witnesses are being offered a RI, there is inconsistent take-up of RIs across England and Wales, limited understanding of the role in the criminal justice system and variation in how vulnerability and eligibility for RIs is assessed. The Victims’ Commissioner puts forward a number of recommendations to improve the provision of RIs. Recommendations include the development of a centralised national RI service with a national lead RI to feed into the policy and practice in the provision of RIs, and to represent RIs’ interests across the criminal justice system, as well as a fast track service for the youngest and most vulnerable of victims. (Edited publisher abstract)