#ImWithSam launched in 2016 and since then, we have been driving change and making things better for victims of learning disability and autism hate crime.
Working together is crucial for any movement and we’re grateful for everybody who has supported our fight against hate crime.
As well as providing training for all Dimensions colleagues on how to recognise the signs of hate crime and how to support people to report it, we’ve been working with organisations external to Dimensions.
Here’s an insight into who we’ve worked with and what we’ve achieved so far…
Working with the police
National Police Chief’s Council
In 2017 and 2018, Dimensions presented at the Annual Hate Crime Conference.
Officers from across the country got involved to understand more about learning disability and autism hate crime, as well as the critical role they play in supporting victims and prosecuting perpetrators.
Police forces
To date, we have delivered workshops and training for to members of Essex Police, Surrey Police and Greater Manchester Police.
Our seven month training programme with Surrey Police saw us delivering training to 1000 APT Officers, and led to a month on month increase in the number of recorded disability hate crimes in Surrey. Download the report
We have also held a number of events in partnership with the British Transport Police, including training sessions and awareness raising at London terminals.
Working to influence policy
Law Commission
In September 2018 the government announced it was asking the Law Commission to carry out a review of hate crime legislation.
The Law Commission will review all aspects of hate crime law and publish a consultation paper in early 2020.
We are gathering evidence from people about their experiences and identifying areas where the law needs to change.
We will work closely with the Law Commission as a stakeholder in focus groups, to lay the groundwork in parliament for when the Law Commission publishes their recommendations to government. Download our research report
Petitions Select Committee
In 2018 we gave evidence to the select committee’s inquiry into online abuse of disabled people.
We showed why a change in hate crime law is so important. Since then we have played an active role in the policy development on online harms. Watch the evidence session
Home Office
Following from our work with the Petitions Select Committee, we worked with the Home Office in the lead up to the Online Harms White Paper in April 2019.
We will continue to engage with them on the issue of online abuse and promote better protection for people with learning disabilities and/or autism.
APPG for Hate Crime
We are engaging with the All Party Parliamentary Group for Hate Crime and will help steer their work.
We want to make sure people with learning disabilities and autism are prioritised in the government’s work.
Office for National Statistics
Our work with the Office for National Statistics has found people with learning disabilities and/ autism are four times more likely to be victims of hate crime.
Currently, there is no way to officially see how many reported cases of disability hate crime were committed against people with learning disabilities and/or autism.
But, we have been working with the Office for National Statistics to get better representation and we found that people with learning disabilities and/or autism are four times more likely to be victims.
MOPAC
Dimensions sits on the Hate Crime Reduction Board for the Mayor’s Office for Policing and Crime in London.
This is includes an innovative London based project to tackle hate speech that has fed into a new national initiative. Through this, #ImWithSam has developed strong links with MOPAC’s hate crime team.
Working with academics and professionals
PSHE Association
Working with the PSHE Association, we have developed a range of KS3 materials for teachers to use with their students.
The materials are aimed at reducing stigma and raising understanding about disability and difference. The free resources are promoted to a network of 16,000 teachers and schools through the Anti-Bullying Alliance.
International Network for Hate Crime Studies
Our Campaigns Advisor – Dr Mark Brookes – presents on learning disability and autism hate crime with other specialists at national and international hate crime conferences.
The International Hate Crime Conference is led by the International Network for Hate Studies and brings together leading academics and policymakers from across the world.
