People with disability, like everyone else in our community, have the right to live free of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation. Interchange supports human rights and zero tolerance approaches to violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation. All Australians should have confidence in the quality and safety of supports provided to people with disability. That’s why we support the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability (DRC). We recognise this inquiry will help people with disability, and their supporters, to expose past wrongs, be protected into the future, and be safe and active citizens in a community where they feel valued – a community in which Everyone Belongs.

The DRC was established on 5 April 2019. The inquiry will cover all forms of violence against, and abuse, neglect and exploitation of, people with disability, in all settings and contexts.

UPDATE

• The first-progress-report has just been released, summarising the Commission’s work to date. Find the easy read version HERE
• A new Disability Royal Commission Legal Service website was launched. While not accessible to organisations and service providers, we would like to make people living with disabilities, their families and staff aware of this service. The DRC Legal Service can provide advice, information and referrals to people interested in interacting with the Disability Royal Commission.
• The Disability Royal Commission has released a criminal-justice-system-issues-paper. The justice system will be the focus of a hearing from 27 April to 1 May in Brisbane. The papers provides context of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and lists some questions to guide responses. It also provides background on agencies which comprise the justice system and canvasses some issues the Commission is aware of.The paper notes the Commission’s interest in why people with disability, particularly First Nations people with disability, come into contact with the criminal justice system at disproportionately high rates, and the issues they face when they do. It notes that this may include people with disability being victims, suspects or witnesses of crime. Find theMore information is available via the DRC website.

If you are currently experiencing any form of violence or abuse, or are concerned for your safety, or know a person with disability that is, call 000 or contact Police.

If you are an employee of a service provider and are distressed by any aspects of the Royal Commission, please seek advice and assistance through your employer’s Employee Assistance Program or call LifeLine on 13 11 14.

To follow up on the latest Royal Commission news, see the News page.