People
First (Self Advocacy) is deeply saddened but not at all surprised
by the allegations of abuse and initial findings of “significant
failings” at Budock Hospital in Cornwall. We are pleased
that a full investigation will be carried out and we call
for criminal prosecutions to be brought. Those who have suffered
the alleged abuse must be given appropriate support to communicate
their experiences and to cope with what they have been through.
Too often abusers of people with learning difficulties are
let off without charge as their victims are treated as “unreliable”
witnesses. Prosecutions that are brought frequently result
in lenient sentencing that is not comparable with sentences
given for abuse of children.
The
Healthcare Commission had many lessons to learn after its
woefully inadequate investigation into alleged abuse between
2001 and 2003 at Fieldhead hospital in Wakefield where patients
were spoken to in front of members of staff, and investigators
failed to make sure they had support to communicate with people
with severe learning difficulties. A full investigation was
never carried out and police were not alerted. The Healthcare
Commission is working with the Commission for Social Care
Inspection to investigate the alleged abuse in Cornwall and
it has already referred 6 cases to the adult protection committee.
We are hoping that this reflects a real commitment to securing
justice for these victims.
Abuse
as reported in Cornwall is an extreme end of a general culture
pervading services for people with learning difficulties.
This is a culture of warehousing and of segregation despite
the well-intentioned aims of government initiatives such as
Valuing People: the government strategy for people with learning
disabilities and the Cabinet Office Strategy Unit¹s report
on “Improving the Life Chances of Disabled People”.
The day-to-day experience of people with learning difficulties
is one where they are told what to do and when to do it, where
they are controlled and directed without real choice. Traditional
service models do not respect people with learning difficulties
as humans with rights and they are founded in a social attitude
that sees people with learning difficulties as inferior.
Lack
of resources and money still stand in the way of appropriate,
individualised services. Many individuals are denied the basic
right to communicate in services run by staff on low wages
with little education or training. Fundamental changes are
needed to abandon traditional models of service; we need proper
investment to ensure the aims of Valuing People become a reality,
carried out in meaningful consultation with people with learning
difficulties. We should not be afraid of complaints from those
misguided by paternalistic ideas of what is best for people
with learning difficulties we need to be more afraid of the
continuing human rights abuses that are a day to day reality
for people with learning difficulties within our so-called
civilised society.
Andrew Lee, Director (020 7820 6655)
People
First is a registered charity (no. 1057354) run and controlled
by people with learning difficulties. We support local self
advocacy groups and individual people with learning difficulties
to speak up for their rights and to campaign for inclusion.
Statistics indicate that 23 per cent of adults with
learning disabilities have experienced physical abuse.
Acknowledgements - People
First (Self Advocacy) and Andrew Lee
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