Our Watch welcomes the final report of the Disability Royal Commission into violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability.
The Report includes 222 recommendations focused on eliminating discrimination, delivering equality and supporting the right of people with a disability to live free from violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation.
Among the recommendations is for Government to develop and deliver a five-year Action Plan for Women and Children with Disability to accompany the National Plan to End Violence against Women and Children 2022–2032.
Research shows that 65 per cent of women with disability have experienced violence in their lifetime. They are also twice as likely as women without disability to experience physical and sexual violence.
Our Watch CEO, Patty Kinnersly said the landmark report represented a line in the sand for ending the widespread discrimination and violence towards people with disability.
“If implemented, these changes will help end discrimination, provide a voice to people with disability, increase their opportunity and visibility in leadership, and build respect, inclusion and equality. It will change attitudes and dramatically reduce the risk of violence against women and girls with disability,” she said.
“Ending violence against women and girls with disability is crucial to creating a society where all women are valued, respected and have equal opportunities to participate in our society.’
The recommendations include a strong focus on the role of government in leading the legislative and policy change required to deliver equality and end systemic discrimination.
“We look forward to working with disability advocates and government on the development of the five-year Action Plan for ending violence against women and girls with disability.”
Media contact
Please contact media@ourwatch.org.au or call 0448 844 930.
If you cover this story, or any story regarding violence against women and children, please include the following tagline:
1800RESPECT is the national domestic, family, and sexual violence counselling, information and support service. If you or someone you know is experiencing, or at risk of experiencing, domestic, family or sexual violence, call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732, chat online via www.1800RESPECT.org.au, or text 0458 737 732.
To access guides for reporting about violence against women and their children, visit www.ourwatch.org.au/media-and-reporting
Our Watch
Our Watch is a national leader in Australia’s work to stop violence against women and their children before it starts. The organisation was created to drive nation-wide change in the practices, norms, and structures that lead to violence against women and children.