Diversity Lab’s Post

APA Chair Lee Jasper Raises Concerns Over Policing Incidents Involving Black Children. London, United Kingdom Recent incidents involving the Metropolitan Police and black children have prompted Lee Jasper, Chair of the African and African-Caribbean Advocacy Project (APA), to voice significant concerns. The cases of a 10-year-old girl, referred to as Child A, who was Tasered by police, the unjustified strip-search of a 15-year-old schoolgirl, known as Child Q, and the Taser incident involving another minor, Child X, highlight distressing trends in policing and its impact on black youth. "These incidents represent a disturbing pattern in the disproportionate use of force against black children," Jasper stated. The APA, an advocate for equitable policing, sees these events as emblematic of broader systemic issues requiring immediate action. Jasper underscored the urgency for dialogue and solutions: "Our 'Policing and the Black Child' conference, scheduled for early 2024, is now more important than ever. It will serve as a critical platform for addressing these alarming trends." The conference aims to unite community leaders, policymakers, and law enforcement officials to develop strategies for improvement and understanding. "Our mission is to foster change, ensuring every child is treated with respect and fairness, regardless of race," Jasper added. The APA encourages public engagement on these issues, inviting people to follow @apavoices on social media for updates on the conference. "Community involvement is vital. We need to listen to your voices, concerns, and stories to drive meaningful change at the conference," Jasper emphasised. As Chair of the APA, Jasper reiterates the organization's dedication to advocating for the rights and well-being of black children in the UK. "We are at a critical juncture," Jasper concludes, "and it's time to work collectively towards a future where a child's race does not predetermine their encounters with law enforcement." For further information, follow @apavoices on X https://lnkd.in/ejfZ9MTM

The feature of our #SeptemberCollection of stories is a heavy and important topic. It's a reminder that human trafficking happens everywhere, even in our own idyllic backyard. 💜❤️ Zonta Club of Melbourne has been working diligently for many years to dispel the myths that encircle human trafficking while raising awareness of the issue at the local and global levels. 💜❤️ Read about how the group trains medical, hospitality, and education professionals, among others, on how to recognize human trafficking and take steps to intervene. https://loom.ly/hBrWI-M

Today’s NPR “On Point” episode on my son and my reaction afterward, spoken into the camera at the ending here: https://lnkd.in/eZZMcVgz Thank you NPR for producing such a great show today! I know this may be the only episode you do on this subject but if there is an interest in another, We need a medical professional who can possibly speak to the benefit of AOT (a wraparound assistance law) in MA and CT. These 2 are the only states without it, and it’s urgently needed. We need to treat the situation with growing numbers of mentally ill left to fend for themselves in a sea of troubles (criminal, socioeconomic, safety, etc) with as much attention as when Autism awareness came about and now has so many services. There is more work ahead for certain, and I’m so glad the discussion was started. Jail is not the answer…what is?…. I hope it leads to more about modernization of the treatments available (ie. brain scan, TMS, leap method, motivational interviewing, clozaril serum, more DMH adult group home oversight, etc.). You could do an episode on the focus of preventing the SMI population from spiraling downward with more creative ways to connect them to services. Like the “burning building” analogy, prevention needs to be addressed. We as caregivers jwant more of a voice in this conversation, because we are not currently part of the team of people involved in the care. We are the ones who keep seeing firsthand all the cracks in between the “systems” of treatment not working together. Thank you WBUR , Will James and Jonathan Chang for bringing my story to the nation. Laura Balboni Craciun 🙏 Thankful on behalf of my 22 yr old schizoaffective, untreated incarcerated son and how AOT could have prevented his situation from happening. Criminalization of mental illness is wrong. It will also be in an article in the Boston Globe and Provincetown Independent newspapers. www.smicaregivers.com #NationalShatteringSilenceCoalition #SchizophreniaandPsychosisActionAlliance #henryamador #NBC #NAMI #mentalillnessisnotacrime #SMIcaregivers #mentalillness #mentalillnessawareness #mentalhealth #mentalhealthawareness #mentalhealthmatters

Within this week's blog we take a brief look at Community Dols: 'Under Article 5 of the Human Rights Act, every person has the right to liberty and security. However, there are certain circumstances in which it may be necessary to deprive/restrict someone of their liberty in order to protect them should they not have the capacity to consent to their treatment or care at a specific placement. In these situations a Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) authorisation is applied for. This is the legal authorising framework that enables a Deprivation of Liberty if specific criteria are met, and if it is deemed proportionate and necessary to keep the relevant person safe from harm....' #dols #community #humanrights #protections #safeguards #bestpractice #mca #decisionmaking https://lnkd.in/emBCXYCm

Colleague Nance L. Schick, Esq. has written an insightful article on preventing discrimination despite DEI bans. The article highlights how the type of ban in each state affects your rights against discrimination. As we navigate through these times, it is important to know our rights and the laws that protect us. Check out the article and learn more about the topic. I am grateful to be living in Minnesota! #DEI #DiscriminationPrevention #KnowYourRights

"Working in a way which is participant-informed means there is no ‘one size fits all’ approach. This is true for both trauma-informed practice and restorative practices." Our Good Practice Guide explores how trauma-informed practice and RJ can be complementary. https://lnkd.in/dV9VG5MJ

If you would like to learn more about the revolting door of arrest and re-arrest in the country and the Returning Youth Initiative, please watch this 5 minute video. https://lnkd.in/gMV5Y8gD

Here’s a closer look at five new prominent state laws, addressing health, public safety and other topics.

But if you are able to access the requisite date (big IF in the states where I work) how do you do enough positive good with your interventions to outweigh the negative outcomes that will result from the additional labeling and stigmatization? Also, are the interventions voluntary or required and, if required, under which legal mechanism?

Check out our latest blog below, considering Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards in the community #dols #community #mca #rights #bestpractice