Inquiry into abuse in disability services: final report

For too long, people with disability in Victoria have endured violence in all its forms. The voices of people with disability, their families and carers have been sidelined or ignored, and widespread abuse and neglect continues. Similar to the issue of violence against women, violence against people with disability is inextricably linked to the denigration of their human rights. Throughout this inquiry, the voices of people with disability, their families, carers, advocates and disability sector workers have reinforced over and again that the disability sector in Victoria is marked by an intrinsic lack of effective safeguarding and oversight. Fundamental change in the sector is needed to address these ingrained issues of violence, abuse and neglect. Through submissions and extensive public hearings across Victoria, the Committee heard consistently of the need for a single independent oversight body that can be implemented quickly with the capacity to prevent and respond to violence against people with disability