Our network of independent advocacy organisations have worked hard to ensure the Disability Royal Commission upholds the rights of people with disability.
The Disability Royal Commission (DRC) into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability was established on 4 April 2019.
For the past four years, people with disability, their families and advocates have told their stories to the Disability Royal Commission.
DANA made over thirty submissions to the DRC, amplifying the voices of disability advocates around Australia.
The DRC final report was delivered on 29 September 2023.
Latest DRC News
First Nations People with Disability issues paper and advisory group
The latest issues paper released by the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability seeks information about the experiences of First Nations people with disability.
The issues paper asks 12 questions to help people and organisations to provide responses.
Restrictive Practices issues paper published by DRC
The DRC wants to know about the effects of restrictive practice on people with disability. They are also interested in understanding how laws, policies and practices around restrictive practices can be improved to better prevent and protect people with disability from violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation.
National Counselling and Referral Service Extends its Areas of Support
Blue Knot Foundation will be elevating its promotion of the National Counselling and Referral service as a key trauma-informed support for people with disability, family members, carers, advocates and workers who have experienced or witnessed abuse, neglect, violence and exploitation. Anyone who wishes to access this support does not need to make a submission or have any prior involvement with the Disability Royal Commission.
What did the DRC investigate?
The Disability Royal Commission was established in response to community concern about widespread reports of violence against, and the neglect, abuse and exploitation of, people with disability.
The Disability Royal Commission investigated:
- preventing and better protecting people with disability from experiencing violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation
- achieving best practice in reporting, investigating and responding to violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability
- promoting a more inclusive society that supports people with disability to be independent and live free from violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation.
Our work so far
DANA, and our network of indepedent advocacy organisations, worked tirelessly to elevate the voices and stories of people with disability and their families during the DRC. You can read a summary of our work so far below:
Community engagement
Advocacy, peer support and representative organisations spent many years engaging with their networks to inform, raise awareness and get people with disability involved in the Disability Royal Commission (DRC). This formed a large part of DANA’s submission to the DRC.
Spotlight on Advocacy
The experiences and insights of indepedent advocacy organisations and their workforce were featured prominently throughout the DRC public hearings.
The extensive work of advocacy organisations during this time included: providing individual advocacy support to people with disability during the Disability Royal Commission processes; representing systemic issues through making submissions; and providing information and promoting awareness among community members about contributing their experiences.
Safe to Speak
DANA heard from many advocates around Australia supporting and engaging with people to tell their story that privacy and confidentiality concerns had emerged as a key barrier. After a request from the DRC Chair and much coordinated advocacy and campaigning, the Australian Government fulfilled their commitment to amend the legislation to extend full protections to all forms of submission.
Voices of Advocacy
DANA has worked to amplify the voices of on-the-ground advocates to ensure their insights and expertise informed the work of the DRC.