Mandate wearable cameras for care staff!
Mandate wearable cameras for care staff!
The Issue
PLEASE REMEMBER TO CLICK THE LINK IN YOUR EMAIL OR YOUR SIGNATURE WON'T COUNT XX
The heart breaking story of my son is not an isolated case, but a grim reality in our society that needs urgent attention.
My son, who is Autistic and has severe learning disabilities, reported physical abuse at his residential school. He informed us that night staff where hitting him over the head in his bedroom at night. Further information transpired, through his behaviours and repeating and re-enacting what had happened. Jack was able to tell me who, what and where but his voice counted for absolutely nothing. On a separate occasion he came home from school with a hand print shaped mark on his back. Even this did not count as proof of abuse. The incident was conveniently swept under the carpet, solely relying on the undeniable vulnerability and marginalisation of people like my son. My son's special needs, were callously used against him. This distressing incident gave rise to a frightening realisation - the ease with which incidents of abuse can be dismissed and covered up, without a shred of evidence to defend the victims. All the abuser needs to do is say they didn't do it and the case is closed. Someone with communication difficulties cannot always elaborate on the abuse committed against them. They cannot give dates and times. Any attempts at gaining a more in-depth story, is classed as using leading questions or prompting the victim. Those with no voice at all cannot even let anyone know if any kind of abuse has happened to them. They must just suffer it. Powerless to stop it! Hence, I urge the policymakers to mandate the use of wearable cameras by all carers and staff members in residential special schools, supported living and care homes and who attend people in their own homes/ community, who work with those who are not able to communicate effectively, across the country.
Jack now suffers from PTSD and still re-enacts the abuse two years later.
The use of wearable cameras by professionals in residential care environments has proven to improve transparency, promote safety, and prevent potential incidents of abuse. It would also protect carers from false accusations and empower them to report abuse they have witnessed and feel they can whistle blow. It is proven that many good, trustworthy carers leave establishments because they are too afraid to speak up or when they do speak up, their concerns are dismissed, or not properly investigated.
Studies on the use of body-worn cameras in the police force have exhibited how they can dissuade misconduct and increase officer accountability, suggesting similar positive results could be anticipated in care environments ("The effects of body-worn cameras on police activity and police-citizen encounters: A randomised controlled trial", Arield et al.,2016). Furthermore, this would provide much needed concrete evidence during investigations and remove the dependence on conflicting, subjective testimonies.
Currently, only 1% of abuse cases reported, ever get to trial. We can change this!
Our call stands for protecting the rights, dignity, safety, and well-being of our loved ones receiving care. This step is pivotal in the fight against safeguarding vulnerabilities and moving towards a more transparent, accountable system.
We call for a system where a discreet recorder is worn by all carers at all times. This footage would be stored in a very secure system which would be accessed by senior authorities such as police or a designated agency outside of the care facility, should concerns be raised or intermittent checks be performed, of which guardians would be made aware. The footage would be periodically deleted.
Please sign this petition in support of mandating wearable cameras for all workers who care for those who cannot communicate effectively, or who's word would not be believed.
Make "Jack's Law" a reality and help protect your Son, Daughter, Mum, Dad, Grandparents and loved ones. Help protect yourself from this one day being your reality too. Whether it be in a home or in your own home, protect all at the most vulnerable time of their lives.
Thank you X
To hear more about our story, please take 5 minutes to watch our video;
https://youtu.be/gxRBdLZIS3k ".
Thank you for reading/ listening, please sign and share.
Please continue to support our work for change in the care industry.
You can also contact us at: thesavefoundation@proton.me/ 01322 414813
Media Coverage:
https://www.mylondon.news/news/south-london-news/mum-calls-wearable-cameras-residential-30783912
https://fandphealthcare.com/will-wearable-cameras-transform-care/
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/mum-calls-wearable-cameras-residential-063000311.html
31,106
The Issue
PLEASE REMEMBER TO CLICK THE LINK IN YOUR EMAIL OR YOUR SIGNATURE WON'T COUNT XX
The heart breaking story of my son is not an isolated case, but a grim reality in our society that needs urgent attention.
My son, who is Autistic and has severe learning disabilities, reported physical abuse at his residential school. He informed us that night staff where hitting him over the head in his bedroom at night. Further information transpired, through his behaviours and repeating and re-enacting what had happened. Jack was able to tell me who, what and where but his voice counted for absolutely nothing. On a separate occasion he came home from school with a hand print shaped mark on his back. Even this did not count as proof of abuse. The incident was conveniently swept under the carpet, solely relying on the undeniable vulnerability and marginalisation of people like my son. My son's special needs, were callously used against him. This distressing incident gave rise to a frightening realisation - the ease with which incidents of abuse can be dismissed and covered up, without a shred of evidence to defend the victims. All the abuser needs to do is say they didn't do it and the case is closed. Someone with communication difficulties cannot always elaborate on the abuse committed against them. They cannot give dates and times. Any attempts at gaining a more in-depth story, is classed as using leading questions or prompting the victim. Those with no voice at all cannot even let anyone know if any kind of abuse has happened to them. They must just suffer it. Powerless to stop it! Hence, I urge the policymakers to mandate the use of wearable cameras by all carers and staff members in residential special schools, supported living and care homes and who attend people in their own homes/ community, who work with those who are not able to communicate effectively, across the country.
Jack now suffers from PTSD and still re-enacts the abuse two years later.
The use of wearable cameras by professionals in residential care environments has proven to improve transparency, promote safety, and prevent potential incidents of abuse. It would also protect carers from false accusations and empower them to report abuse they have witnessed and feel they can whistle blow. It is proven that many good, trustworthy carers leave establishments because they are too afraid to speak up or when they do speak up, their concerns are dismissed, or not properly investigated.
Studies on the use of body-worn cameras in the police force have exhibited how they can dissuade misconduct and increase officer accountability, suggesting similar positive results could be anticipated in care environments ("The effects of body-worn cameras on police activity and police-citizen encounters: A randomised controlled trial", Arield et al.,2016). Furthermore, this would provide much needed concrete evidence during investigations and remove the dependence on conflicting, subjective testimonies.
Currently, only 1% of abuse cases reported, ever get to trial. We can change this!
Our call stands for protecting the rights, dignity, safety, and well-being of our loved ones receiving care. This step is pivotal in the fight against safeguarding vulnerabilities and moving towards a more transparent, accountable system.
We call for a system where a discreet recorder is worn by all carers at all times. This footage would be stored in a very secure system which would be accessed by senior authorities such as police or a designated agency outside of the care facility, should concerns be raised or intermittent checks be performed, of which guardians would be made aware. The footage would be periodically deleted.
Please sign this petition in support of mandating wearable cameras for all workers who care for those who cannot communicate effectively, or who's word would not be believed.
Make "Jack's Law" a reality and help protect your Son, Daughter, Mum, Dad, Grandparents and loved ones. Help protect yourself from this one day being your reality too. Whether it be in a home or in your own home, protect all at the most vulnerable time of their lives.
Thank you X
To hear more about our story, please take 5 minutes to watch our video;
https://youtu.be/gxRBdLZIS3k ".
Thank you for reading/ listening, please sign and share.
Please continue to support our work for change in the care industry.
You can also contact us at: thesavefoundation@proton.me/ 01322 414813
Media Coverage:
https://www.mylondon.news/news/south-london-news/mum-calls-wearable-cameras-residential-30783912
https://fandphealthcare.com/will-wearable-cameras-transform-care/
https://ca.news.yahoo.com/mum-calls-wearable-cameras-residential-063000311.html
31,106
The Decision Makers
Supporter Voices
Petition created on 14 November 2024