The Crime Survey for England and Wales reports that there are approximately 70,000 disability hate crime incidents per year. This means that disability hate crime is the second most common motivating factor for hate crime and the second most prevalent yet it is grossly under-reported, with many victims as well as the wider public not being aware of how and why this happens and its impact on those who experience it.

The Lambeth Disability Hate Crime Partnership (LDHCP), a collective of 16 organisations from the statutory, voluntary and community sectors, have been working to raise awareness of Hate Crime against Disabled people since 2014. The work of the Partnership along with that of the local Metropolitan Police has resulted in increased of reporting of such crimes putting, Lambeth in the top two London Boroughs for reporting.

Lambeth Council, responding to the recommendations made by the Lambeth Equality Commission, recently re-affirmed its commitment to working alongside the Police and other agencies to combat Hate Crime against Deaf and Disabled people.

To mark National Hate Crime Awareness Week (13th – 20th October) the Lambeth Disability Hate Crime Partnership is holding its annual event and is aiming to raise further awareness, particularly in relation to Housing, highlighting the issues that arise and helping people to learn how to identify, report, uncover and confront the issue.

The event is aimed at Deaf and Disabled people, carers, and professionals such as councillors, local Police Officers, housing and community safety officers, , London Deaf & Disabled People’s Organisations, voluntary groups, local businesses and anyone that may come into contact with these issues; providing the opportunity for them to hear directly from Disabled people and about the work that is being done to support individuals.

Aims of the event –

• How Hate Crimes against Deaf and Disabled people involving neighbour disputes can sometimes be misunderstood as anti-social behaviour
• Why reporting is important & how the Disability Advice Service Lambeth’s (DASL) Hate Crime Advocacy Worker for Disabled People can offer support
• Hear from local Police and other organisations as to what measures can be taken to help people keep safe
• Learn about Inclusion London’s new Disability Hate Crime Project

Details of the event:

To be held at: We are 336, 336 Brixton Road, SW9 7AA

On: Wednesday 17 October 2018 at 10.00am – 1.30pm

Followed by light lunch and information stalls

Book via Eventbrite here call 020 7501 8976 or email to hatecrime@disabilitylambeth.org.uk

The 9th Annual Report (2017/2018) of the Lambeth Safeguarding Adult’s Board (LSAB) has now been published and is available to download.

The LSAB has celebrated a number of achievements in the past year, including:

- a successful survey measuring awareness of adult safeguarding Lambeth which has given us a benchmark we can use to target future awareness raising initiatives.

- an analysis of equalities data within safeguarding activity in order to understand how different communities in Lambeth were being represented in adult safeguarding work. This has helped us to identify what improvements can be made, to ensure under-represented groups are reached.

- two public events which equipped Lambeth residents with knowledge around the Mental Capacity Act and protection against Financial Abuse.

- LSAB’s Community Reference Group focus on improving residents’ access to information/ advice with the view of empowering them to know how to get help and protect themselves from abuse/neglect.

Nonetheless, there is still more to be done. Our goals for the next three years have been set out in our strategic plan for 2017 to 2020, and we have broken these down into targeted aims for the next financial year (2018/19).

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The Community Reference Group are pleased to announce two workshops taking place on the 16th July 2018 which aim to raise awareness of domestic abuse and support services in Lambeth.

Domestic abuse and violence can affect us all, sometimes in a devastating way. Anyone can be a victim of domestic violence. It is not limited to a particular gender, ethnicity, age, class or sexual orientation. Perpetrators can be of either gender and domestic violence can occur in same sex relationships, between family members as well as current or previous partners.

Responding to Domestic Abuse; A workshop for professionals working in Lambeth

10am to 12pm, Lambeth Town Hall

At this event we will hear from Lambeth’s Violence against Women and Girls team and Lambeth Adult Safeguarding about effective ways of responding to concerns of domestic abuse

What to expect at this event:

• Advice and guidance on safeguarding procedures

• Information on effective risk assessments and the role of MARAC

• Understand trauma effects and coping mechanisms for victims of DV

To sign up for the FREE event, please register at eventbrite

Keeping Safe from Domestic Abuse

1pm to 3:30pm, Lambeth Town Hall

At this second event, we will hear from Lambeth’s Violence against Women and Girls team, GAIA domestic violence services and Lambeth Adult Safeguarding.

Unlike the first session which is aimed at professionals, this session is open to anyone who wants to find out more about responses to Domestic Abuse and the services available in Lambeth.

What to expect:

• An outline of the definition of domestic violence/abuse

• A better understanding of the indicators of domestic violence

• Guidance on disclosure ‘do’s and don’ts’

• Information on support services in Lambeth

• Explain how to report concerns to Lambeth Adult Social care

To sign up for this FREE event please register at eventbrite

Financial abuse if one of the most common types of abuse, and was the third highest reported category of abuse towards adults at risk in Lambeth in 2016/17.  The Community Reference Group is planning event to help raise awareness of this issue and help Lambeth communities learn more about how to response to concerns about financial and material abuse and protect themselves from harm.

What is Financial Abuse?

Financial abuse can affect anyone and is often carried out by someone in a position of trust, but could also be a stranger who befriends you. Financial abuse can be when;

• Money is taken from you without your permission

• Pressure is put on you to give someone money when you don't want to

• Someone spends your money without your consent

• Someone takes control of your money without your permission

What can you expect at this event?

This is a FREE event and lunch will be provided. Over the course of the days guests will get:

• Advice and guidance on where to access support and where to get information

• The chance to hear from experts, including speakers from Action on Elder Abuse, Lambeth Trading Standards and RBS Bank, and join the discussion

• Resources to help you protect yourselves and others from financial abuse

• A better understanding of how we can work together to tackle financial abuse

When and where is the event?

• Wednesday 6th December 2017

• 10am to 3:30pm

• We Are 336, 336 Brixton Road, Brixton, SW9 7AA

To sign up for this event, please register via eventbrite

To find out more about safeguarding adults or to report any concerns you may have that an adult at risk is being harmed or neglected, please contact Lambeth Adult Social Care using the online form or by calling 0207 926 5555.