Royal Commission releases Second Progress Report

The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability has released a Second Progress Report, summarising the work carried out between 1 January 2020 and 30 June 2020.

The Chair Ronald Sackville AO QC said the Royal Commission has not been immune from the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic.

'Our schedule of work has been interrupted in ways that no-one in Australia could have foreseen. Yet during these extraordinarily difficult times, the Royal Commission has made considerable progress,' said the Chair.

The Royal Commission has published six issues papers and processed large numbers of submissions and responses to issues papers.

Using technology, the Royal Commission has been able to maintain engagements with people with disability during the pandemic.

We recently resumed private sessions, via video and teleconference and our next hearing in Sydney to investigate the experiences of people with disability during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, will largely take place via video conference.

'As the recent resurgence of COVID-19 in Victoria demonstrates, neither people with disability nor the Royal Commission can be sure of when the pandemic will be over or even under control.'

'In the meantime the work of the Royal Commission must continue. The dedication and skill demonstrated by the staff of the Royal Commission during extremely trying circumstances augurs well for the completion of the important work of the Royal Commission', said the Chair.

The Second Progress Report provides an update about the submissions we have received so far and about private sessions that have taken place. It details work being carried out by leading researchers to help inform the Royal Commission.

The report also details plans to engage with people with disability in closed institutions, such as prisons, forensic mental health and disability facilities, youth detention centres and other closed environments.

The Royal Commission will deliver an interim report by 30 October 2020.