Thursday, July 7, 2011

5 Live BBC Radio , Reports of Disability hate crime

Availability:
Sorry, this programme is not available to listen again. (why?)

Last broadcast on Sun, 3 Apr 2011, 21:00 on BBC Radio 5 live.

SynopsisGap year safety. A coroner has called on the Government to review the safety procedures of companies offering gap year adventure trips. It follows the death of a student on a conservation holiday in Fiji. We investigate how well the companies are implementing safety procedures.

Many police forces are still failing when it comes to investigating reports of disability hate crime, according to a number of leading charities. They say officers have not heeded the lessons of the tragic case of Fiona Pilkington who set fire to herself and her disabled daughter more than 3 years ago. The mother had been driven to despair by years of abuse targeted at the family.

5 Live Investigates talk to a woman with learning disabilities who's endured 20 years of abuse. She's been spat at, had chewing gum put in her hair, had kids get into her home and has been physically assaulted. The last time her mother reported it to the police she was told by an officer that it was naïve to think that her daughter would not be subjected to taunts.

And tackling uninsured drivers... Following last week's debate about new plans to tackle uninsured drivers, and concerns that new penalties wont be tough enough, the Roads Minister Mike Penning comes onto the show to defend the scheme.