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Policy E-Bulletins

We send out a regular e-bulletin covering policy developments around disability, employment and independent living. Our latest bulletin came out on 22 March 2013.

Articles from our latest policy bulletin are below (23.02.13). The full bulletin can be found at: Issue 65 E-Bulletin

Our older bulletins are at the bottom of this page.

Living In a Different World: Joint Review of Disability Hate Crime

An official report on disability hate crime laments the lack of reporting and understanding of such crimes, and also of the support people receive. The report from HM Inspectorate of Constabulary, the Crown Prosecution Service (CPS) and the National Probation Service also says that the definition of what constitutes a disability hate crime is not clear enough.

Quoting from the report, key joint recommendations include:

1. The police, CPS and probation trusts should adopt and publish a single, clear and uncomplicated definition of a disability hate crime that is communicated effectively to the public and staff (within 3 months).

2. The police, CPS and probation trusts, when developing their strategic aims, should consider disability hate crime and the need for its reporting to be increased (within 6 months).

3. The police, CPS and probation trusts should consider how their front-line staff participate in effective disability hate crime training to improve (as appropriate) investigative, prosecution and rehabilitation skills (within 6 months).

The report can be accessed at:

http://www.hmic.gov.uk/publication/living-in-a-different-world-joint-review-of-disability-hate-crime/

We have received the following press release from the Disability Hate Crime Network about this report:

"In the long awaited launch of the HMIC, HM Crown Prosecution Service Inspectorate (HMCPSI) and HM Inspectorate of Probation (HMIP) review into the treatment of hate crimes there are some key messages which have been noted for specific action. The Disability Hate Crime Network (DHCN) have been promoting some of the key points in a wider way for the last three years. For us, the essentials are:-

Police, CPS and the Criminal Justice System in general, should, with the agreement of disabled people and their organisations adopt and publish a "single, clear and uncomplicated" definition of a disability hate crime.
The three agencies should involve disabled people in considering how their front-line staff should undertake disability hate crime training which needs to be delivered involving disabled people.
The CPS must deepen use of its exiting Scrutiny panels to check to ensure the accuracy of all data relating to disability hate crime. The Law Commission, and the Attorney General should look at creating a stand-alone offence for dealing with disability hate crime.

Disability Rights UK and The Disability Hate Crime network, supported by Office for Disabled People are launching a Third Party Reporting Toolkit which encompasses much of the aims we see as the essential next stage in stopping hate crime.

This is expected in the near future. See:

http://www.disabilityrightsuk.org/

For more information, please contact the Policy and Research Assistant.

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Policy E-Bulletins

We send out a regular e-bulletin covering policy developments around disability, employment and independent living. Our latest bulletin came out on 22 March 2013.

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