Quick Links
Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability
The Australian Government has recently finalised the beginning of public consultation on the draft Terms of Reference for a Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability.
You can find out more for now on the Department of Social Services (DSS) website.
Women with Disabilities Victoria welcomes this decision.We hope to see a greater community awareness of the gendered nature of violence and abuse women with disabilities experience as a result of this Royal Commission.
Read our Violence Position Statement.
There will be opportunities to share your story once the Royal Commission is set up.
We know that multiple Royal Commissions running at the same time might be confusing for many people. If you have ideas about how we can make the information easier to understand and more accessible, please let us know.
Getting support
This Royal Commission deals with issues that may be confronting and upsetting. It might trigger traumatic memories for people, particularly for women with disabilities who have experienced violence or abuse.
Please remember that if you are currently experiencing any form of violence or abuse, or are concerned for your safety, call 000.
Disability Royal Commission Emotional Support Service
The Disability Royal Commission has a national, free counselling and referral service, delivered by the Blue Knot Foundation.
The service is available for people with disability, families and carers, and anyone affected by the Disability Royal Commission.
You can call the National Counselling and Referral Service on 1800 421 468 or 02 6146 1468, which operates from 9:00am to 6:00pm weekdays and 9:00am to 5:00pm weekends (AEDT).
People who are deaf, hard of hearing and/or have a speech impairment can contact through the National Relay Service (NRS) by phoning 133 677.
If you require support in another language please use the free of charge Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS National), by:
- Calling the National Counselling and Referral Service on 1800 421 468 and asking for an interpreter. The counsellor will make the arrangements, or;
- Calling TIS National on 131 450 and asking to be connected to the National Counselling and Referral Service on 1800 421 468.
For support, you can also contact:
Beyond Blue Support Service. Phone 1300 224 636 (24 hours/7 days). Beyond Blue provides free, immediate, short-term counselling, advice and referral to anyone in Australia via telephone, web chat or email 24/7.
Lifeline Crisis Support. Phone 13 11 14 (24 hours/7 days) or chat to a crisis supporter online (7pm – midnight/7 nights). This is a confidential service providing support to anyone in Australia who is feeling overwhelmed, having difficulty coping, or thinking about suicide. This service also provides advice to anyone caring for that person.
National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family violence Counselling Service.
A telephone, and online crisis and trauma counselling service, available 24/7. Phone 1800 RESPECT (1800 737 732) or visit www.1800respect.org.au/ for online counselling available through their website.
Safe Steps: Family Violence Response Centre (previously Women’s Domestic Violence Crisis Service). Safe Steps provides emergency accommodation, a free 24-hour crisis line, outreach and advocacy services, referrals and information. Contact on 1800 015 188, or email admin@safesteps.org.au.
Centre Against Sexual Assault (CASA). CASA House offers
24-hour crisis care support following a sexual assault in the last 2 weeks,
short to medium term counselling and advocacy services, secondary consultation and debriefing for health and other professionals. Contact 9635 3600 or casa@thewomens.org.au.
The Sexual Assault Crisis Line Victoria (after hours). Operates after business hours from 5pm – 9am on weeknights, and throughout weekends and public holidays, for men or women, and past or present crisis. Contact on 1800 806 292 (free call from landlines – you can ask counsellors to call you back if you initially call from a mobile) or ahcasa@thewomens.org.au