Legal News

Learning disability charity Mencap is joining forces with the Safer Hambleton Community Safety Local Delivery Team and North Yorkshire Police to host a drop-in surgery to help victims of hate crime in North Yorkshire on Thursday, 15 October.

The event is open to anyone who has been affected by hate crime – or is worried about becoming a victim – and support organisations will be on hand to offer advice at the event, which will take place at Northallerton Town Hall from 10am until 1pm.

The key message for the day is “Different? No Difference!” – and the event will highlight that hate crime can affect all sections of the community, regardless of background.

The organisers of the event say that if victims have been targeted because they are seen to be “different” as a result of race, religion, faith, disability, sexual orientation or gender identity, it is still an offence which victims should report to the police – and agencies can offer support.

Development Manager at Northallerton and the Dales Mencap Society, Sue Lear, said:

“These crimes need to be talked about – victims should not simply put up with them because they are seen to be ‘different’.

“There will be a host of organisations at the event highlighting the support that is available – and officers who can advise on crime prevention techniques, as well as give advice on reporting these crimes will also be on hand.”

PCSO Jason Lloyd from North Yorkshire Police added:

“We know through national and local research that Hate Crime is under-reported – victims will anecdotally tell us that that incidents have happened, but that they don’t report because it’s something that they put up with.

“We want to be clear through this event that nobody has to put up with being a victim – and if you’re targeted because you’re different to the ‘norm’, there is no difference for the police and other organisations.

“These crimes will be investigated and support is available. I encourage everyone who has been or is worried about being a victim to come down and talk to us.”

Mental health patients are also known to experience more crimes against them than is average among the general public.

A joint study by Kings College London, University College London and Kingston University and St George’s University of London found that mental health patients are three times more likely to experience crimes.

The report – published in 2013 – also found that out of 361 mental health patients questioned, nearly half had experienced crime in the previous year.

Some of the victims said they had not reported crimes against them to the police out of fear they might be detained under the Mental Health Act – or over concerns that the police would not take their complaint seriously.

The Mental Health Foundation estimates that between 25-40% of people with a learning disability in England may also have a mental health condition. Figures show that among adults with a learning disability diagnosis of anxiety and depression is the same as the general population, but among children and young people with a learning disability, around 36% may also have a diagnosable psychiatric disorder, compared with 8% among children without a learning disability.

Duncan Lewis Mental Health Solicitors

Duncan Lewis is the UK’s largest provider of Legal Aid mental health services – and can advise on a wide range of matters involving mental health care and access to mental health services or detention under the Mental Health Act.

In some cases, Duncan Lewis mental health solicitors may also be able to advise the nearest relative or carer of a mental health patient on mental health issues, including initiating treatment reviews and Judicial Review of social services or mental health trust decisions, if appropriate.

For expert legal advice on mental health law, call the Duncan Lewis Mental Health Solicitors Helpline on 0203 114 1124.