The Ann Craft Trust
| Date | 01 February 2000 |
| Published date | 01 February 2000 |
| Pages | 39-43 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/14668203200000007 |
| Author | Pamela Cooke,Deborah Kitson |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Sociology |
The Journal of Adult Protection Volume 2 Issue 1 • February 2000 © Pavilion Publishing (Brighton) Limited 39
Organisational
profile
key words
learning disability
adult abuse
research
awareness
abstract
As part of the Journal’s series of
profiles of UK organisations working
in the field of vulnerable adults and
adult abuse the work of the Ann
Craft Trust (formerly NAPSAC) is
outlined by it’s Director and Co-
ordinator.As one of the UK’s first
campaigning and educational
organisations for adult protection,
the Trust can justifiably claim some
credit for the upturn in awareness
and policy development over the
last decade.
History
THE NATIONAL ORGANISATION now known as the Ann Craft Trust
(ACT) began its life as the National Association for the
Protection from Sexual Abuse of Adults and Children with
Learning Disabilities (NAPSAC). The change of name was
decided in 1998 when NAPSAC broadened its remit to include
all abuse and a re-launch was held in November 1998 in
London when the memorable speakers included Mr Paul
Boateng, MP, Minister of State at the Home Office, Professor
Emeritus Olive Stevenson of the University of Nottingham,
Mrs Philippa Russell, Director of the Council for Disabled
Children, and Mr Lloyd Page and Ms Laura Perry from Mencap.
The event was a celebration of the work already carried out
and this was characterised by an exuberant performance of
‘The Decameron’ by the Nottingham City Youth Theatre
Group whose cast included many young people with learning
disabilities. But the re-launched organisation also dedicated
itself to the ultimate aim of preventing all abuse of both adults
and children with learning disabilities.
The name itself was designed to honour the memory of the
late Dr Ann Craft; her early death in April 1997 was a sad loss
to all those working in the area of learning disabilities. It was
her initiative and commitment to the safety and support of
people with learning disabilities which led to the foundation
of NAPSAC. Dr Craft taught staff about the rights of people
with learning disabilities to have a sexual life and the need for
sex education. Subsequently this resulted in many members
of staff sharing their anxieties about the sexual abuse of their
clients. Dr Craft realised that this issue had received little or
no attention and that parents, staff and carers were usually
struggling alone with their fears. At the beginning of 1992,
The Ann Craft Trust
Pamela Cooke
Director, Ann Craft Trust
Deborah Kitson
Co-ordinator, Ann Craft Trust
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