Royal Commission releases new Issues Paper on rights and attitudes

The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability has published its latest issues paper.

The Rights and attitudes issues paper is designed to assist the Royal Commission in its investigation about people’s awareness and understanding of the rights of people with disability.

It also seeks feedback about community attitudes towards people with disability and about how well advocacy is working for people with disability, to prevent or help respond to violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation.

Chair Ronald Sackville AO QC is encouraging people with disability and their families, advocates, organisations and experts to provide responses to the latest issues paper.

‘We welcome any information that will advance our understanding of these issues, including how they may be linked to violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation.

‘We want to understand how aware people are of the rights under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, and how organisations and governments promote and safeguard these rights in laws, policies and practices.

‘We know that community attitudes can be a barrier to inclusion, and may also contribute to increased risk of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation.

‘We are keen to hear from people about what can be done to improve attitudes towards people with disability,’ said the Chair.

As well as issues papers, the Royal Commission is asking people to share their story and experience of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation by making a submission.

The Royal Commission is also taking registrations for private sessions.

It has received more than 840 submissions so far and more than 200 requests for private sessions.