SENATE CALLS FOR FOR ROYAL COMMISSION INTO VIOLENCE AND ABUSE OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY

The Senate yesterday called on the Turnbull Government to commit to the establishment of a Royal Commission into the violence and abuse of People with Disability in institutional settings. 

 

“A Royal Commission into this matter is long overdue”, Senator Carol Brown, Shadow Minister for Disability and Carers said today.

 

“The Senate Community Affairs References Committee called for a Royal Commission into, violence and abuse of People with Disability in institutional and residential settings in  November, 2015.”

 

“In May this year, more than 130 academics from around Australia signed an open letter urging Prime Minister Turnbull to take action on the recommendation of the Senate inquiry and establish a Royal Commission on this issue.”  

 

“Still the Prime Minister has refused to act on the recommendation,” Senator Brown said.

 

“People with disability experience much higher rates of violence than the rest of the community, and in many cases this violence occurs in places where they are meant to be receiving support. 

 

Children with disability are at least three times as likely to experience abuse than other children.”

 

“The continued abuse of Australians with disability by people who are meant to care for them, demands a Royal Commission. Only a Royal Commission has the weight, authority and investigative powers to examine these horrific accounts of abuse and violence against people with disability,” Senator Brown said

 

“We cannot erase the pain and suffering that so many have already experience. But only a Royal Commission has the weight, authority and investigative powers to examine the horrific accounts of violence and abuse against people with disability.”

 

“Malcolm Turnbull must act to establish this Royal Commission now.”