Learning disabilities and abuse: Learning the lessons from history

Rachel Fyson
University of Nottingham

There is a long history of people with learning disabilities being abused in hospitals. This is one reason why hospitals were closed down.

As people with learning disabilities moved out of hospitals, abuse carried on happening. This is one reason why stricter regulation of care homes was introduced.

But some services are still allowing people with learning disabilities to be abused.

More people with learning disabilities now live independently. Some of these people with learning disabilities have been victims of hate crime. This photo (right) is of Steven Hoskin, who was murdered by people he thought were his friends.

Abuse doesn't just happen in hospitals and care homes. More needs to be done to understand and prevent abuse in all settings.