Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability

: Last Updated: 01 March 2022; Hits: 10413

manilla folders and documents, legal scales and laptop computer with person on screen. Text on folder readers Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability. Australian Government coat of arms.

The Disability Royal Commission began in April 2019. It is an independent public inquiry into the mistreatment of people with disabilities.

Royal Commissions have broad powers. They can hold public hearings, call witnesses under oath and compel evidence. They can make recommendations to the government about what should change. The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety (Aged Care Royal Commission) looks at similar issues in residential aged care.

The Disability Royal Commission listens to people with disabilities, families and carers. It holds public hearings and looks at ways people with disabilities are at risk. It publishes reports and suggests ways businesses, carers and the government can improve. Cases of abuse, violence, neglect or exploitation can occur anywhere in the community. In the home, workplace, school, residential care, hospital and other health settings.

We have reported on the Royal Commission since it started. As time goes on, we've put all our reports together for you in one place to make it easier to find the information you want. As things change, we will add to this list. This list also serves as a timeline of the Disability Royal Commission.

The Commissioners published an Interim report on 30 October 2020. Following community and sector feedback, the Disability Royal Commission has been extended and the Final Report is now due by 29 September 2023.

Lead up

Why do schools desperately need a royal commission into the abuse of disabled people

Pressure mounts for Disability Royal Commissioners to stand down

Submissions

Royal Commission seeks submissions

First Nations people with disabilities matter

IDEAS Has A Say: Disability Royal Commission - Emergency Planning and Response

Public hearings

Skip to Upcoming hearings

Upcoming

March 2022

10 March: Public hearing 19, Virtual – Measures taken by employers and regulators to respond to the systemic barriers to open employment for people with disability – Oral submissions
28 March – 1 April: Public hearing 17.2, Hobart – The experiences of women and girls with disability with a particular focus on family, domestic and sexual violence (Part 2)

April 2022

11 – 13 April: Public hearing 22, TBC – The experience of people with disability working in Australian Disability Enterprises
28 April: Public hearing 20, Virtual – Preventing and responding to violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation in disability services (two case studies) – Oral submissions

May 2022

16 – 20 May: Public hearing 23, Sydney – Preventing and responding to violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation in disability services

June 2022

6 – 10 June: Public hearing 24, TBC – The experience of children and young people with disability of segregated education settings and the ‘polished pathway’

The location and timing of hearings are subject to change.

Progress Reports

Interim Report

The Interim Report was published on 30 October 2020. It sets out what the Royal Commission has done in its first 15 months, the cut-off point being 31 July 2020. The report says people with disabilities experience attitudinal, environmental, institutional and communication barriers to achieving inclusion within Australian society. It shows that a great deal needs to be done to ensure that the human rights of people with disabilities are respected and that Australia becomes a truly inclusive society.

Download:

Interim Report [DOCX]

Interim Report - Summary [DOCX]

Interim Report - Easy read - An Easy Read guide [DOCX]

Interim Report - Easy read - What have we heard so far [DOCX]

First Progress Report

The First Progress Report of the Royal Commission was published in December 2019. That Report provided an overview of the Royal Commission’s program from its formal establishment in April 2019 until 30 November 2019. The report also outlined the Commission’s proposed program for 2020.