Royal Commission explores disability in the justice system

15 October 2019

The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability held a workshop in Melbourne on Monday 2 September 2019, focused on people with disability in the criminal justice system. The workshop explored policing practices, arrest, charge, prosecution and legal and court processes.

Commissioner of the Disability Royal Commission, Professor Rhonda Galbally AC, opened the workshop, which was attended by advocacy groups, academics, community legal centres, public advocates, legal aid and Aboriginal legal services. The barriers and challenges experienced by people with disability in the criminal justice system was one of the most significant issues raised in previous workshops and consultations.

'People with disability have higher levels of interaction with the criminal justice system than people without disability. The disproportionate rates of arrest, charge, prosecution and incarceration of people with disability can have significant negative flow-on effects in other areas of their life.' Subscribe to the email alert for Disability Royal Commission updates. ​