Dimensions responds to Government announcement of hate crime law review

Last night marked a major milestone in the #ImWithSam campaign to tackle learning disability and autism hate crime, as Justice Minister Lucy Frazer announced a full review of hate crime legislation. This will include the laws that tackle abuse and targeting of people with learning disabilities and autism.

Mark Brookes, Campaign Adviser at Dimensions said: “After tireless campaigning for a change in the law it’s really great to see that a review will be happening. We know that current laws haven’t worked to get people longer sentences and this makes victims and the wider community disappointed and saddened. Overall, this means people with learning disabilities and autism don’t report offences. A change in the law will give people’s confidence back and encourage them to report hate crime.”

Since the launch of the #ImWithSam campaign, Dimensions has pushed for the law to be changed so that it better protects people with learning disabilities and autism and creates equality between different targeted groups.

Andie Gbedemah, Public Affairs Officer at Dimensions, said: “We have been waiting four years for action from government to reform hate crime law and this is a very welcome step. People with learning disabilities and autism have been let down by our hate crime laws and the Law Commission review offers an opportunity to make sure we show zero tolerance of all hate. No one in the country should feel unwelcome or unsafe simply because of who they are and we look forward to seeing a legislative framework that protects everyone.

“The Law Commission led a limited review in 2014 and it is essential that this new review is far reaching in its examination of hate targeting in the UK – it cannot be used to kick the can further down the road.”

Most importantly, the Commission must speak to victims and community groups to make sure new laws genuinely work for those they are meant to protect. We will be engaging with the Law Commission’s review to share the experiences of victims of hate and prejudicial targeting; and look forward to further information from government in the coming weeks.

Dimensions would like thank everyone who has championed this review, in particular Stella Creasy MP.

Find out more about Dimensions #ImWithSam campaign to tackle learning disability and autism hate crime.