SENATOR CAROL BROWN

SHADOW MINISTER FOR DISABILITY AND CARERS

SENATOR FOR TASMANIA

MORE DATA SHOWS ROYAL COMMISSION NEEDED

A Royal Commission into violence and abuse against people with disability is
needed now more than ever.
New data from the National Disability Abuse and Neglect Hotline reveals that
complaints of abuse have climbed by over 30% compared with six months ago.

Yet the Government has failed to act and it’s failing to bring justice to victims of
abuse.

Advocates have identified that over 90% of women with an intellectual disability
have been victims of sexual assault and it’s unacceptable that the Government
won’t do what’s necessary to shine a light on the extent of abuse and neglect.

People with disability, their families and carers have long been calling for a Royal
Commission.

15 months ago, 163 organisations, including St Vincent de Paul Society, Anglicare

and Amnesty International called on the Prime Minister to announce a Royal
Commission.

Yet the Prime Minister has been missing in action.

While Malcolm Turnbull claims to have raised this matter with the Disability Reform
Council, his spokesman failed to respond to journalists when asked if these
communications would be released publicly.

Victims of abuse deserve more. They deserve action immediately.

It’s time the Government followed Labor’s lead to establish a Royal Commission
into violence and abuse against people with disability.

Only a Royal Commission can see justice brought to bear and only a Royal
Commission can respond to continuing instances of abuse.

WEDNESDAY, 15 AUGUST 2018

MEDIA CONTACT: MICHAEL CHAITOW (BROWN) 0434 269 264

Authorised by Noah Carroll, ALP, Canberra.