15 years ago, BBC Panorama exposed the shocking abuse of people with a learning disability and autistic people at the now closed Winterbourne View hospital near Bristol. 11 members of staff were sentenced. There was a national outcry about the scandal. But not enough has changed since.
Too many people with a learning disability and autistic people are still being detained in mental health hospitals because the right support in the community doesn’t exist. Support like suitable housing, social care, crisis support, and specialist professionals.
People with a learning disability and autistic people are still being harmed and traumatised by restraint, overmedication, and being locked away in isolation.
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Mencap continues to campaign, support families, and along with many other campaigners, push for change. Because we believe people with a learning disability should have the right support in place to live in homes, not hospitals.