Living in Fear- Better Outcomes for people with
Learning Disabilities and Autism
Dr Julie Beadle-Brown, Colin Guest and Lisa Richardson
Introduction
As more people with disabilities are supported
in the community, the issue of personal safety
increases in salience. Autism London’s National
Helpline has found many people live in fear of
victimisation. Medway’s Forum for adults with
learning disabilities reported the experiences of
100 people who were victims of harassment
and bullying.
Fifty per cent said they
continued to live in fear.
Participants
The research will explore
the views and experiences
of people with learning
disabilities and autism over
the age of 16 most of whom
live in Medway.
Valuing People Now (DoH, 2009) reported
that people with learning disabilities and their
families wanted ‘to be allowed to live in safety
and to be taken seriously when they
complain about abuse or report a crime
against them”.
The
research
is
in
partnership with Kent Police.
Medway police personnel
will be asked to participate
in elements of the research.
In 2009, the Equality and Human Rights
Commission, concluded that there is a ‘severe
under reporting of incidents’ and a ‘serious
scarcity of robust and representative national
level data’.
Researchers commented that the terminology
around targeted violence and hostility is ill
defined, and that the there is ‘particular
confusion over the language of hate
crimes’. This study also noted the paucity of
research in this area.
Two years on the commissions Hidden in
Plain Sight (2011) report describes a ‘culture
of disbelief and systemic institutional failures’
that prevent such incidents from being dealt
with effectively.
Data collection
Focus Groups
From January-June 2011 a series of focus
groups were held with people with LD or
ASC, carers, Police personnel and
Medway’s Community Safety Partnership.
Findings were used to create the surveys.
Helpline data
Anonymised data from Autism London and
the National Autistic Society have been
compiled and will be reviewed.
Survey
From July 2012 over 600 people with LD or
ASC living in Medway will be sent a survey
about their experience of victimisation.
Interviews
In depth interviews will be completed from
Aug 2011-Nov 2013 with up to 100 people
with LD or ASC who have experienced
victimisation.
Review
Police call logs
Anonymised data collected from Police call
logs are being collected and analysed.
Police
questionnaire
In April 2012 an online survey of Police
was launched with the aim of
understanding their awareness of LD and
ASC and challenges of assisting this group
when they report incidents of victimisation.
Aim & Design
This three year research programme aims
to explore the views and experiences of
people with autism (ASC) and/or learning
disabilities
(LD),
establishing
the
prevalence and nature of victimisation
as well as the characteristics of people
who experience victimisation and the
impact on their quality of life. It will also
explore the views and experiences of the
police in dealing with victimisation of this
group.
The project findings will be used to develop
training
and
awareness
raising
campaigns for the police and community
safety partnerships, service providers and
for the general community.
Progress Report
The project is approaching it’s final year.
We are about to begin analysis of the
data collected so far. Reports and the
dissemination of findings will be planned
for July 2013.