Alex RKThe admirable learning disability and autism organisation Dimensions has recently launched a new campaign called #ImWithSam to raise awareness of, and tackle, autism and learning disability hate crime.
#ImWithSam will challenge government processes and tackle the root causes of autism and learning disability hate crime. The changes that Dimensions want to see have been developed following broad-based consultation and they consider will make a tangible difference.
1. Separate disability hate statistics into learning disability, autism and other disabilities.
2. A change in the law to make disability hate a crime online too.
3. The Department of Education to adapt resources to better support all primary and secondary schools with positive messages around difference.
4. Manufacturers to incorporate greater learning disability sensitivity into toys, games and other children’s entertainment.
5. The Department of Health to develop simple guidance to help families and support workers identify and manage cases of hate crime.
6. The Crown Prosecution Service to improve investigation protocols within the criminal justice system in situations where there is a learning disabled victim.
7. The Home Office to improve resources and training for police officers and others to help them when receiving a report of hate crime from a person with a learning disability or autism, including funding self-advocates to provide specialist victim support.
8. Together, Dimensions and their campaign partners will evaluate the effectiveness of new coercive behaviour legislation on people with learning disabilities or autism, leading to specific change recommendations and/or a green paper recommendation on stronger legislation to protect vulnerable people from mate crime.
To meet Sam, to join the campaign, and to learn more, see here.
