Premier

Protecting The Safety Of People With A Disability

23 November 2016

The Andrews Labor Government has announced a zero tolerance approach to abuse of people with a disability with a range of measures in response to a recent parliamentary inquiry.

The Government will introduce a code of conduct which includes training the workforce to better recognise, prevent and report abuse and strengthening the disability services system as part of Victoria’s transition to the National Disability Scheme.

As part of the response, $1 million will support the roll-out of a new client incident management system to facilitate information sharing on the safety and wellbeing of clients.

In addition, the Government will invest $1.5 million to support people with a disability to access advocacy services.

We will fund greater oversight of disability services, including enhanced functions for the Disability Services Commissioner and training for Community Visitors to be able to identify and report abuse.

The Government will also expand the Disability Worker Exclusion Scheme to protect the safety of people accessing all disability services.

The Parliamentary Inquiry into Abuse in Disability Services was established to examine the systemic issues impacting on why abuse is not acted upon or reported and how it can be prevented.

The final report highlighted the need to build a more responsive system supported by a skilled workforce to address the issues of abuse and made 49 recommendations.

The Labor Government’s response will set the standard of dignity and human rights that people with disabilities can expect in Victoria – to live in safety, free from abuse and neglect and able to call out abuse where it occurs.

Quotes attributable to Minister for Housing, Disability and Ageing Martin Foley

“The abuse of people with a disability is abhorrent, and we want to make sure the right safeguards are in place to stop it from happening.”

“We were elected to put people first, and we’ve spent the past two years doing that by building a state that is stronger and fairer – protecting those with a disability and giving them the support services they need.”

Reviewed 19 August 2020

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