News and Press Releases
Voice UK All Party Parliamentary Group AGM and Major Issues Review
This year’s AGM of the Voice UK APPG will be followed by a review of the major crime and abuse issues affecting people with learning disabilities. This review will hear from experts on Disability Hate Crime, Forced Marriages of People with Learning Disabilities and the review of the No Secrets safeguarding adults guidance. It will hear about progress and discuss what more needs to be done. For those who might have missed the APPG’s earlier discussions on these topics, this meeting provides a perfect opportunity to get an overview of all the most important issues.
Guest speakers:
Superintendent Paul Giannasi, Office for Criminal Justice Reform, on disability hate crime
Haji Saghir Alam OBE, Equality and Human Rights Commission, on forced marriages of people with learning disabilities
Lucy Bonnerjea, Department of Health, on the review of No Secrets
Venue and time
8 July 2008
AGM – 3:30pm to 4pm
Major Issues Review – 4pm to 5pm
Committee Room 5, House of Commons
26 June 2008
KATHRYN STONE OBE ON ‘TODAY’ RADIO 4 18 APRIL 2008
Please click on the link to get a summary of the interview Kathryn took part in on 18 April 2008.
http://www.cafonline.org/Default.aspx?page=15436
24 April 2008
CSCI eligability criteria review
So CSCI is now carrying out a major review of the eligibility criteria that councils use to decide whether or not a person receives help from the council with social care services.
As part of this we are inviting people to have their say by sending us a written submission or taking part in our online survey.
You can read more about this review on our website at:
http://www.csci.org.uk/about_us/news/review_of_eligibility_criteria.aspx
The link to the online survey is:
http://www.csci.org.uk/SelectSurveyASP/
18 April 2008
Government hears the voices of vulnerable victims
Victim Support and VOICE UK welcome the Government's announcement of a review of adult protection guidance as a major step towards stopping the abuse of vulnerable people.
"This announcement shows that the Government has heard the voices of vulnerable adults who have been abused and is committed to making sure the criminal justice system, as well as the health service and local agencies, responds to their needs," stated Gillian Guy, Chief Executive of Victim Support.
"The Comic Relief and Department of Health research published today is a stark and shocking exposure of the abuse of elderly people by those who are meant to be caring for them. But we must not forget that similar, appalling abuse happens every day to people with learning disabilities, who have mental health needs, disabled people and those with long term illnesses" said Kathryn Stone, Chief Executive of VOICE UK.
"Ivan Lewis is right to say that society needs to wake up to the problem of the abuse of vulnerable adults in the same way as it has woken up to the abuse of children" continued Stone. "Everyone will be a vulnerable adult at sometime in their lives, either through illness or as they get older. Everyone knows a vulnerable adult, be it their parents, friends or neighbours. The need for appropriate safeguards touches everyone."
"It is important to remember that abuse is often a crime and should be treated as such. Unfortunately, the police are often not involved at the early stages, if at all, which means that vulnerable victims are denied justice." Said Guy.
Victim Support and VOICE UK are aware of cases where the police have not been called when an abuse allegation has been made and the subsequent delay has damaged the chance of a conviction. They have therefore welcomed Ivan Lewis' commitment to involve criminal justice agencies in the review of adult protection guidance as an important step towards achieving justice for vulnerable victims.
"The current No Secrets guidance is seven years old and in some cases it has clearly not worked. The terrible abuse cases we deal with have shown that this review is due" stated Stone.
"Ivan Lewis has asked our organisations and other stakeholders to help in this review and we are more than willing to work together to achieve justice for all vulnerable adults." said Guy.
14 June 2007
Little Card - Big Hand
A little card is a big hand for vulnerable and intimidated witnesses
A credit card sized guide for police officers is set to make a big difference to the lives of vulnerable and intimidated witnesses and victims. The pocket guide gives frontline officers information on how to identify and help those witnesses and victims who need extra assistance in giving evidence. It is the result of a unique partnership between the Association of Chief Police Officers (ACPO) and three learning disability charities - VOICE UK, Respond and the Ann Craft Trust.
Read the full PRESS RELEASE
11 Apr 07
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