Dimensions responds to Home Office report on Hate crime in England and Wales 2016 – 2017
New statistics from the Home Office show that there were 5558 disability hate crimes recorded by the police in 2016/17, but significant gaps in data mean we still don’t know how many of these victims have a learning disability or autism.
The report comes on the same day Dimensions launches a new video to raise awareness of learning disability and autism hate crime.
Mark Brookes, Campaign Advisor at Dimensions and spokesperson on hate crime commented “I want the Home Office data to show how many people with learning disabilities and autism are targeted each year.
“It would make it easier to raise awareness and show victims that hate crime against them is being taken seriously.”
The increase of 53% on last year’s figures has been attributed to improved rates of reporting. However, it is not clear from current data gathering whether reporting rates have risen for victims with learning disabilities and autism.
Dimension’s own analysis with the ONS suggests those with learning disabilities and autism are the most common victims of disability hate crime.
The #ImWithSam campaign has called for disaggregation of disability hate crime statistics so that policymakers, police and campaigners can better understand the prevalence of learning disability and autism hate crime and whether initiatives to tackle it are effective.
Mark continued “It’s good that reporting is going up, but lots of people with learning disabilities and autism still don’t realise they can report a hate crime or are worried they won’t be taken seriously.”
“There is no way of knowing things are getting better until we can see changes for each disability group and that more reports are coming from people with learning disabilities and autism.”
Find out more about our hate crime campaign #ImWithSam.
Contact our press office
For more information, interviews, and case studies contact Hannah McCreesh, Communications and PR Officer at Dimensions, on (e) Hannah.mccreesh@dimensions-uk.org (t) 0300 303 9062.
Dimensions provides evidence-based, outcomes-focused support for people with learning disabilities, autism and complex needs. We help people be actively involved in their communities.
We are one of the largest not-for-profit support providers in the UK. We currently support around 3,500 people and their families throughout England and Wales with help from our 7,000 members of staff.
We have been providing support packages for families for 40 years. We offer a range of support services to adults of all ages, including those with complex needs or challenging behaviour.
We are proud to be a not-for-profit organisation, not here for commercial gain. This means we’re able to invest all our efforts and resources into the important things – which is helping the people we support lead happy and fulfilled lives.