Hate crime campaign to launch during Learning Disability Week

Wednesday 26 January 2011

Mencap to launch new campaign in Learning Disability Week 2011

This year's Learning Disability Week will take place from 20-26 June. During the week, Mencap will launch a three-year campaign against hate crime, 'Stand by me'.

David Congdon, Mencap's head of campaigns and policy, said: "Recently, three men who tortured a 17 year old with Asperger's syndrome walked away with a sentence of just 80 hours of community service. And in another high-profile case, Fiona Pilkington killed herself and her disabled daughter after police failed to stop the abuse they were subjected to by local youths. Cases like these show that hate crime is still not taken seriously enough by the authorities."

'Stand by me' will challenge the police, the criminal justice system and the courts to end hate crime against people with a learning disability within a generation.

The first year of the campaign will aim to persuade the police to take action. David Congdon says: "We want the police to take attacks against disabled people as seriously as racist incidents."

Mencap staff, local groups and supporters will be able to get involved in a range of activities and events to support the campaign. Currently, Mencap is looking for people who are willing to share their experiences of hate crime to support the campaign.

If you or someone you know would be willing to share your experiences of hate crime, please call Brenda Shalvey on 020 7696 5568 or email brenda.shalvey@mencap.org.uk

Go to www.mencap.org.uk/ldw