It is 15 years since the TV programme that showed the abuse and bad treatment of people with learning disabilities at Winterbourne View.
Since then, there has been a government plan but still not enough has changed.
Many people with learning disabilities, families and staff have worked to try to change things.
Learning disability England supports there good work and will carry on speaking up with them for change so people live good lives.
Full statement:
15 years on from the BBC Panorama investigation that exposed abuse at Winterbourne View, too many people with learning disabilities and autistic people are still being failed by systems that should support them to live safe, good lives in their communities.
While there has been some progress in some places, the systematic change needed has still not happened.
Jack Marshall, Self-Advocate Member Representative at Learning Disability England says:
“What happened was terrible, and it should never have happened again, yet we have seen it happen again. Everybody has a right to live their best life, free from abuse, whether they have learning disabilities or they don’t. I don’t want to be signing letters to the government in 15 years, still telling them that support for people needs to be better.”
Too many people remain in long-stay hospitals and institutional settings, and more cases of people with learning disabilities being abused and neglected have come out.
Despite this, people with learning disabilities, families and allies have continued to lead passionate campaigns for change.
As Liz Wilson, Family and Friends Rep explains:
“So many people with learning disabilities, family carers and professionals with integrity have worked tirelessly to change the system. Despite the best efforts of everyone, very little has changed.
15 years ago, we spoke about the necessity to both get people out of hospital and to make sure there is enough early support to prevent admissions. Little has changed. Human rights are still being violated. It’s not good enough.
Fifty years after the hospitals began closing there are too many forgotten people who deserve a rich life in their community surrounded by family and friends.”
By sharing best practice and putting pressure on government and services, the work of movements like Rightful Lives, campaigns like Don’t lock us away and improvement work like Homes Not Hospitals are responsible for the little progress that has been made.
People have stood together in solidarity to fight for rights and refused to let these issues be ignored.
This collective action continues today, which can give us hope that it will continue and have more impact in the future.
Paid Supporter member representative Angela Cateley has said:
“For many people so little has changed in 15 years – it is shameful, but we need to continue to stand together to demand better, to say clearly and loudly that this is just not good enough. To join voices to say that radical change is essential and urgent. I have hope that shouting together will create the volume needed for us to be heard…and really acted upon.”
Learning Disability England is committed to supporting members calling for radical change and maintaning the belief that the strength and determination of people continuing to speak out and stand together will drive change forward.