Report finds complaint mechanisms are not equipped to address violence and abuse against people with disability

Today the Disability Royal Commission has published a research report titled Complaint mechanisms: Reporting pathways for violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation, prepared by researchers from the University of Sydney, the University of Melbourne and the University of Technology Sydney.

The report provides guidance on the design of accessible and inclusive complaint mechanisms that work as pathways to report violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability.

Findings in the report state;

  • much violence, abuse, neglect, and exploitation experienced by people with disability relates to segregation, institutionalization and discrimination.

  • complaint mechanisms are not equipped to make systemic changes which are needed to prevent and address violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation

  • many complaint mechanisms are not equipped to single-handedly deal with structural change in relation to preventing violence, abuse and exploitation.

The report identifies a series of improvements which could be made to existing complaints mechanisms, including;

  • providing access to information and making information consistent

  • having dedicated reporting pathways for violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation

  • having supported decision-making available for those making a complaint

The report also identifies the need for an independent complaints mechanism to respond to violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation which is neutral, trustworthy and supportive of those who make complaints.

Please direct all inquiries to the Disability Royal Commission media team on 0436 841 166 or via our email DRCmedia@royalcommission.gov.au.