Policing and Mental Health Inquiry (Home Affairs Committee)
May 2014
May 2014 The Home Affairs Committee launched an inquiry into Policing and Mental Health. They wanted to investigate any issues arising when people or groups with particular mental health needs come into contact with the police, including improvements that could be made and recommendations. Muslim Women's Network UK responded to the inquiry and the report can be downloaded here. We highlighted particular hurdles and barriers faced by sufferers within the Muslim and BME communities which need to be considered. We raised concerns about how victims of domestic violence who may also be suffering from poor mental health because of the abuse not being believed and how women with learning disabilities who are sexually exploited not recognised as victims. We highlighted how mental health sufferers could be abused by families because they believe in spirit possession. We also realised concerns that stereotypical notions of Muslim and BME individuals, including of being terrorists and extremists as well as other racial stereotypes, has lead to both physical and emotional mistreatment of sufferers. |
|