Watch our 10-part series on the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation for People with Disability distributed on Spinal Cord Injuries Australia’s Instagram, Facebook and YouTube channel.
All reels in this series have been researched, written and edited by Sathsara Radaliyagoda and read by as well as executive produced by Susan Wood.
SCIA on the Disability Royal Commission – Part One
Why should you care about the Disability Royal Commission?
One of the biggest things to come out of 2023 was the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation for People with Disability.
For over four years public hearings, private sessions and community talks investigated the extent of the claims and root causes to make significant change.
Read more about the Disability Royal Commission
Statistical Information Source: Disability Royal Commission told of hundreds of preventable deaths – News GP, 20 Feb 2020
SCIA on the Disability Royal Commission – Part Two
We take you on a journey on the abuse and neglect experienced by people with different disabilities and their stories.
In Part Two, Susan lets us know why you should care about the commission and why it was an important investigation for every Australian.
Read more about the Disability Royal Commission
Statistical Information Source*: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)
*Percentages have been updated since date of filming and editing. They’re higher now.
SCIA on the Disability Royal Commission – Part Three
In Part Three, Susan tells us the story of Lyanna and Dalton, siblings who describe the harsh realities of abusive service providers.
Read their story in the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability: Final Report – Voices of people with Disability, Page 30
Statistical Information Source: Watchdog reveals thousands of reports of sexual misconduct, injury, abuse and neglect in disability group homes – ABC News January 16, 2023
SCIA on the Disability Royal Commission – Part Four
In Part Four, Susan tells us the story of Valery and Nikolas, a mother and son duo who endured immense trauma from their service providers. Fortunately, they do have a happy ending when so many sadly don’t.
Read their story in the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability: Final Report – Voices of people with Disability, Page 34
Statistical Information Source: Young people with disabilities are trapped in nursing homes – Sydney Morning Herald, September 8 2019
SCIA on the Disability Royal Commission – Part Five
In Part Five, Susan tells us about the lives of Sonia and Romeo, another mother and son whose story shines a light on the realities of abuses of power. When schools are supposed to be a safe space, Romeo’s story shows us the disturbing reality many kids with disability endure.
Read their story in the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability: Final Report – Voices of people with Disability, Page 17
Statistical Information Source: Children with disabilities suffer ‘severe neglect and abuse’ in Australian schools – The Guardian, 28 October 2019
SCIA on the Disability Royal Commission – Part Six
In Part Six, Susan tells us about the lives of Rey and Mara, where Rey’s neglect in an aged care facility prompted Mara’s mission to bring her husband home. The horrible mistreatment of Rey raises questions on the systemic neglect of people with disabilities.
Read their story in the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability: Final Report – Voices of people with Disability, Page 28
Statistical Information Source: Almost 40 per cent of residents in aged care facilities have been abused, data released by royal commission shows – ABC News 22 December, 2020
SCIA on the Disability Royal Commission – Part Seven
In Part Seven, Susan tells us about Emmanuelle and Wilma, best friends who were separated due abuse and neglect. Emmanuelle’s life was filled with mistreatment showing us the abuse found in aged care.
Read their story in the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability: Final Report – Voices of people with Disability, Page 581
Statistical Information Source: A Brief Summary of Research and Commentary about the Abuse and Mistreatment of Older People in Care (Elder Abuse) – Hayden Brown, Updated January 2022
SCIA on the Disability Royal Commission – Part Eight
In Part Eight, Susan tells us the story of Lilianna and Alessandra, another friend duo. Lilianna, who endured abuse and neglect in multiple group homes, resulting in a tragic end shows the urgent need for justice and systemic reform.
Read their story in the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability: Final Report – Voices of people with Disability, Page 32
Statistical Information Source*: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)
SCIA on the Disability Royal Commission – Part Nine
In Part Nine, Susan shares the heartbreaking story of
Valeria, recounted by her son Wesson, whose murder by
her husband reveals systemic failures in guardianship and
intervention despite years of attempts.
Read their story in the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability: Final Report – Voices of people with Disability, Page 475
Statistical Information Source: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW)
SCIA on the Disability Royal Commission – Part Ten
Over the last 10 weeks, Susan has shown you the ways different service providers, people of authority and care facilities have been complicit in the abuse, neglect and violence against people with disabilities.
At SCIA, our Policy and Advocacy teams are there to help fight for you and your rights, learn about our Policy and Advocacy team on our website https://scia.org.au/what-is-advocacy/
Statistical Information Source: Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability Research Report, Centre of Research Excellent in Disability and Health (CRE-DH)
