Following extensive consultation across Australia, the Federal Government has announced the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability. The Hon Ronald Sackville AO QC has been appointed as the Chair of the Royal Commission, along with the appointment of five other Royal Commissioners.
Broadly speaking, the Royal Commission has been authorised to inquire into what should be done to:
- prevent, and better protect, people with disability from experiencing violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation;
- achieve best practice in reporting and investigating of, and responding to violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation; and
- promote a more inclusive society that supports the independence of people with disability and their right to live free from violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation.
The broad mandate will permit investigation of financial, emotional, psychological abuse as well as sexual and physical acts of violence. Implicit within framing of the inquiry through a human rights lens, the Royal Commission will also consider discrimination against people with disability, and their equality before the law, particularly as victims of violence and abuse, and their experiences with the criminal justice system.
A standalone website will be established which will allow the public to engage with the Royal Commission, and provide information about how submission can be made and when and where hearings will be held. Interested parties can subscribe to updates in relation to the Royal Commission here.
Our team will provide updates as soon as they become available. For more information, please do not hesitate to contact us.