Sharing your story with the Disability Royal Commission

The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability has thanked the many Australians who have already shared their stories and experiences.

As at 30 June, the Royal Commission has received 1141 submissions

• 47 per cent have been from people with disability
• 41 per cent have been from family members
• 16 per cent have been from advocates or paid support workers

Hearing directly from people with disability, their families, advocates, and the wider disability community is critical to the work of the Royal Commission.

Every submission helps build a better understanding of the extent and impact of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability in Australia.

These contributions will help bring about the transformational change needed to achieve a more inclusive society.

The Royal Commission has today launched an animation to help raise awareness about the many different ways people can share their story – by phone, email, via the website or by making a video or audio recording.

People can make a submission and share their story in any language. We can provide interpreters and translators.

In the submissions received so far, people have shared their experiences of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation across a range of settings including the health and medical system, in schools, in group homes and other accommodation.

In recent months, many people have shared their experiences about the impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

The Terms of Reference of the Royal Commission ask that we look at the particular experiences of First Nations people with disability and people with disability from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.

Of the submissions we’ve received so far;

• 8 per cent have been about people with disability from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds
• 5 per cent about First Nations people with disability
• 4 per cent about LGBTIQ people with disability
• 46 per cent from women with disability
• 29 per cent children and young people with disability

As well as making a submissions, people can apply for a private session, in a confidential setting with a Commissioner. The Royal Commission has had almost 400 requests for private sessions.