Calls from advocates bearing fruit
Growing calls for a royal commission into the abuse suffered by people with disability finally appear to be gaining traction. After endless political game playing and delays, a non-binding motion was passed in Parliament.
Disability activist Sam Connor of WA said “I am one of thousands of disabled Australians in this country. I am watching other disabled people die around us. They are dying because of violence, abuse and neglect against people with disability in institutionalised settings.
Last year, our Prime Minister, the Hon. Scott Morrison MP, announced a Royal Commission into the quality of care provided in residential and home aged care to senior Australians. He also included young disabled Australians who are living in residential aged care settings.
But this doesn’t go far enough. We urgently need a Royal Commission of our own. One that includes the institutional settings that disabled people are abused in every single day in this country.
The terms of reference should include the terms outlined in the ‘Violence, abuse and neglect against people with disability in institutional and residential settings, including the gender and age related dimensions, and the particular situation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with disability, and culturally and linguistically diverse people with disability’ Senate report.
The federal government has now announced support for a Royal commission and is calling on the States to voice their support as well.