Adults with learning difficulties have been given a tour of a courtroom as part of a scheme to encourage greater reporting of disability hate crimes.

The aim of the guided tour was to allay people's fears of attending court and formed part of a disability hate crime awareness programme.

During the visit to South Sefton Magistrates Court in Bootle, the group of eight adults learned about the roles of magistrates and lawyers, the ways in which victims and witnesses are supported, and the types of cases dealt with there.

PC Gerrie McConaghy from Merseyside Police's Sigma hate crime investigation unit, said: "The idea of the visit was to try and break down some of the barriers to reporting disability hate crime. During an awareness presentation we had explained what a hate crime was, how to report it and what the police and CPS would normally do next. Visiting court was the final piece in the jig-saw.

"Merseyside Police, the Crown Prosecution Service, and the courts are there to help victims of crime, particularly the most vulnerable members of our communities. Hopefully the programme and this visit will instil confidence in them and, should they ever have to report a hate crime, they now understand the procedures and won't be afraid."

During the visit, which was organised by the court's witness care unit, the police, and advocacy group People First Merseyside, the group were told that witnesses who were nervous about giving evidence in court could do so from behind a screen or by video link.

Anthony Peck from Formby, who is a People First member, said: "If I had to go to court I wouldn't be comfortable speaking where people could see me in the room. I'd like to use the video link."

The guided tour and talk was given by witness service manager, Elaine Rawthorne, who described the roles of different court officials, where everyone sits, and how a case is heard.

Anthony added: "The courtroom was bigger than I thought it would be and the talk by Elaine was really good."

Liam Welsh from Bootle, said: "The best part was sitting on the magistrate's chair. I could see the whole court and hear what roles people have in the room. The visit was really interesting. It gave me more confidence to talk to the people if I was in court."

And David Morley, also from Bootle, added: "Going to court would be nervy but I know I wouldn't have to get all worked up if something happens. I can just ring the police, they would visit me at home and I would get all the support I needed in going to court."

People First Merseyside provides advocacy services for people with a learning disability and is led by people with learning disabilities. The charity is working with Merseyside Police and other agencies to encourage more people to report disability hate crimes, which are offences where the victim believes they have been targeted because of their disability.

The group hold regular meetings and workshops, attend national conferences to build up their knowledge, meet other like-minded organisations and share information.

Their local office in Crosby Road North in Waterloo is a registered hate crime-reporting centre.

Source: http://www.merseyside.police.uk/index.aspx?articleid=10077

Posted on March 30, 2011 by policeword
As someone who had a previous life working for a disability charity, I don’t think I could have been more pleased when I read the recent comments by DPP Kier Starmer on disability hate crime.

For the benefit of the link-averse, the crux of his statement went something like this: that the prosecution of those who attack disabled people is the ‘next frontier’ for the criminal justice system – not just in terms of the nuts and bolts process of bringing these people to justice, but also in order to better reflect a society where disabled people don’t expect to be victims.