Royal commission into disability abuse was a decade in the making, but the time is ripe for change
6 years ago

Royal commission into disability abuse was a decade in the making, but the time is ripe for change

ABC  

You could be forgiven for having royal commission fatigue at this point in time. The royal commission into violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with a disability marks the seventh such inquiry in six years. Disability abuse should have been ahead in the commissions queue In many ways this royal commission should have been far ahead of the queue of those commissions which came before it. As recently as November last year, the NSW Ombudsman published a special report revealing shocking details of the abuse and neglect of people with a disability in their own family home. Overmedication by ill-equipped care workers Then there's a health system, which already under many other pressures, struggles with the profound challenges people with a disability can present.

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History of this topic

Disability royal commission hands down final report with 222 recommendations for change
1 year, 5 months ago

Disability royal commission hands down final report with 222 recommendations for change

ABC  

Phasing out segregated education, establishing a federal government portfolio for disability and creating a disability rights act are among 222 recommendations made by Australia's largest-ever investigation into the lives of people with disability. Key points: The disability royal commission made 222 recommendations for change The commissioners were split on key areas like education, work and group homes The government has …

The disability royal commission is about to report. Here's a recap of the past four-and-a-half years
1 year, 5 months ago

The disability royal commission is about to report. Here's a recap of the past four-and-a-half years

ABC  

After four-and-a-half years of work, the disability royal commission's final report and recommendations look set to become public this week. This inquiry — formally known as the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability — was broad-ranging, even for a royal commission. Christina Ryan helped fight for the establishment of the disability royal commission for …

The biggest takeaways from the disability royal commission after four years of hearings
1 year, 10 months ago

The biggest takeaways from the disability royal commission after four years of hearings

ABC  

WARNING: This story contains content that readers may find distressing, including references to sexual assault. These are just some of the many disturbing accounts heard by the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability over the last four and a half years. Ninety per cent of women with intellectual disability have experienced sexual abuse, the …

The disability royal commission heard shocking evidence of abuse in public spaces this week. These were just some of the stories
2 years, 5 months ago

The disability royal commission heard shocking evidence of abuse in public spaces this week. These were just some of the stories

ABC  

Sexual assaults on public transport. "I don't feel like the law has caught up with the fact that online is real life, but also we don't often know our trolls," Ms Findlay said. If you're affected by the disability royal commission: The National Counselling and Referral Service is supporting the inquiry: Call 1800 421 468 or 02 6146 1468 or …

Disability royal commission hears of abuse and 'failings' at Afford day program in Sydney
2 years, 10 months ago

Disability royal commission hears of abuse and 'failings' at Afford day program in Sydney

ABC  

Incidents of "unexplained" injuries, clients going missing and staff stretched to the limit at a major disability provider have been under the spotlight at the disability royal commission. Key points: The royal commission this week examined a day program run in Sydney for people with disability between 2018 and 2021 The inquiry heard evidence from parents about their adult sons’ …

Disability royal commission turns spotlight on women's stories of abuse and violence
2 years, 11 months ago

Disability royal commission turns spotlight on women's stories of abuse and violence

ABC  

After Catherine Dunn was sexually assaulted in her university residence, she felt like she was "talking to a wall" when she went to seek help. Key points: The disability royal commission held a five-day hearing focussing on girls and women who have experienced abuse Women with disability are twice as likely to experience sexual violence as women without disability, the …

Disability royal commission heads to Hobart to hear evidence on sexual, domestic and family violence
2 years, 11 months ago

Disability royal commission heads to Hobart to hear evidence on sexual, domestic and family violence

ABC  

As someone who has experienced intimate partner abuse, Akii Ngo wants to help others in similar situations. Key points: The disability royal commission will re-commence in Hobart on Monday, with a focus on sexual, domestic and family abuse Akii Ngo, 28, has become a gender equity and disability advocate for girls, women, feminine-identifying and non-binary people with disability They said …

Major disability service provider apologises for abuse in group homes at royal commission
3 years, 3 months ago

Major disability service provider apologises for abuse in group homes at royal commission

ABC  

One of Australia's biggest disability service providers has apologised after incidents of violence, abuse and neglect in two of its group homes. Key points: The royal commission has been told about the treatment and care of residents in two Life Without Barriers homes In one case, a female resident was allegedly indecently and sexually assaulted by a support worker The …

Royal commission told of 'heartbreaking' abuse faced by women with disability
3 years, 5 months ago

Royal commission told of 'heartbreaking' abuse faced by women with disability

ABC  

Alarming statistics about the violence and abuse experienced by women and girls with disability have been laid bare for a Commonwealth inquiry, including increased reports of strangulation during the pandemic. Key points: Women with disability account for nearly half of all domestic violence victims in Australia The inquiry heard violence against Indigenous women and children was at a "national crisis …

From jail to in-demand speaker: The disability royal commission hears Justen's story
4 years ago

From jail to in-demand speaker: The disability royal commission hears Justen's story

ABC  

A First Nations man with cognitive disability has told a public inquiry his criminal record is like a "life sentence" that makes it hard to break the cycle of crime and move on with his life. Key points: Justen Thomas was giving evidence this week as part of the disability royal commission's examination of the criminal justice system The inquiry …

Disability royal commission to hear 'confronting stories' from carers and Indigenous people living with disability
4 years, 4 months ago

Disability royal commission to hear 'confronting stories' from carers and Indigenous people living with disability

ABC  

The chair of the disability royal commission has warned Australia needs to be careful not to repeat "errors of the past" when it comes to First Nations children with disability being removed from their families. Key points: A commissioner warned some stories to be heard this week have "resonance of the Stolen Generations" The commission heard having a disability makes …

Disability Royal Commission interim report handed down, chair requests year-long extension
4 years, 4 months ago

Disability Royal Commission interim report handed down, chair requests year-long extension

ABC  

The chair of the Disability Royal Commission has written to the Federal Government asking for an extension of more than a year for its work because the scope of the inquiry is unlike any other. Key points: Commission chair Ronald Sackville has asked Scott Morrison to extend the commission's work until September 2023 The commission was previously scheduled to finish …

Disability Royal Commission hears from woman who has been bedridden for 20 years
4 years, 7 months ago

Disability Royal Commission hears from woman who has been bedridden for 20 years

ABC  

A woman who has been bedridden for two decades has told a royal commission she's worried she will lose access to life-changing technology after the coronavirus pandemic. Key points: Ricky Buchanan said she had been given technology to help her communicate during Melbourne's coronavirus lockdowns It has allowed her to interact with the world outside her house more easily Her …

Disability Royal Commission set to resume, with more counsellors trained by people with lived experience
4 years, 8 months ago

Disability Royal Commission set to resume, with more counsellors trained by people with lived experience

ABC  

The frustration of Belle Owen's first counselling session almost a decade ago is still fresh in her mind. Key points: People living with a disability say accessing counselling services can sometimes be difficult Counsellors are being trained on how to improve their services to those impacted by the Disability Royal Commission The inquiry’s public hearings will resume next month looking …

Rushed disability royal commission yet to hear from a victim or person with a disability
5 years, 4 months ago

Rushed disability royal commission yet to hear from a victim or person with a disability

ABC  

The disability royal commission examined education in Queensland this week, hearing stories of bullying, verbal and physical abuse and exclusion from school activities but at no point did it actually hear from an alleged victim. Key points: Royal commission into disability abuse failed to have any testimony from actual victims It heard stories of children being pulled along the ground …

Disability abuse royal commission ready for rush of submissions when public hearings commence
5 years, 5 months ago

Disability abuse royal commission ready for rush of submissions when public hearings commence

ABC  

The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability says it is anticipating "thousands and thousands" of submissions and has defended its preparedness to begin hearings next month. Key points: The public hearings begin on November 4, despite concerns the royal commission had not prepared well enough to support those making submissions The commission says it …

Disability royal commission begins today, a long overdue reckoning into the violence against us
5 years, 6 months ago

Disability royal commission begins today, a long overdue reckoning into the violence against us

ABC  

Today is the first public sitting of the disability royal commission, or to give it its full name, the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability. The inquiry report was clear and unambiguous when it reported back that the scale and extent of the violence against disabled people needed an urgent royal commission. If you …

Disability advocates threaten to boycott royal commission over conflict of interest claims
5 years, 6 months ago

Disability advocates threaten to boycott royal commission over conflict of interest claims

ABC  

The chair of the disability royal commission, Ronald Sackville, has said people will not have to make submissions to commissioners with whom they do not feel comfortable. Key points: The controversy centres on two commissioners who are former senior public servants Proceedings began with the inquiry chair reiterating that commissioners would not hear evidence if it related to their former …

Disability advocates welcome next step in setting up royal commission
6 years ago

Disability advocates welcome next step in setting up royal commission

ABC  

A royal commission into the mistreatment of disabled Australians is one step closer, with the Federal Government unveiling a draft terms of reference today. Key points: Around one in five Australians have a disability The scope of the royal commission is close to being finalised, and experts have praised its inclusiveness The federal election could delay the commission being established …

Scott Morrison poised to order royal commission into abuse of people with a disability
6 years ago

Scott Morrison poised to order royal commission into abuse of people with a disability

ABC  

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has written to the states and territories asking for their support in establishing a joint inquiry into abuse in the disabled sector. The Prime Minister does not need the approval of the states and territories to call a royal commission, but has warned the scope would be limited without it, given services like health, mental health, …

Royal commission calls grow as disability campaigners tell stories of abuse and trauma
6 years, 1 month ago

Royal commission calls grow as disability campaigners tell stories of abuse and trauma

ABC  

Pressure is building on the Federal Government to establish a royal commission into abuse within the disability sector. Key points: Disability campaigners have outlined their stories of trauma and abuse within the sector The Lower House is expected to support a Greens motion calling for royal commission The Coalition will support the motion but is yet to announce if it …

Federal Government rejects Labor and Greens' fresh push for disability abuse royal commission
7 years, 9 months ago

Federal Government rejects Labor and Greens' fresh push for disability abuse royal commission

ABC  

The Federal Government has rejected renewed calls for a royal commission into the abuse of people with a disability, saying it is already acting to set up a new, national body to improve safety standards for people in care. Key points: Both Labor and the Greens are calling for a royal commission Federal Government says they are engaging in "real, …

Abuse in Victorian disability services widespread, report finds
8 years, 9 months ago

Abuse in Victorian disability services widespread, report finds

ABC  

A parliamentary inquiry has found abuse in disability services is widespread in Victoria, making 49 recommendations for reform. The Family and Community Development Committee heard abuse took many forms, from physical and sexual assault, verbal, emotional, and financial abuse, as well as neglect. Chairwoman of Parliament's Family and Community Development Committee Maree Edwards said people with disability had endured all …

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