DRC report reveals the cost of abuse and neglect of people with disability

The Disability Royal Commission has published a report estimating the economic costs of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation. The report prepared by Taylor Fry and the Centre for International Economics estimates the cost of interpersonal ‘maltreatment’ and systemic failures, such as failures of government, businesses and other systems to provide equal economic opportunity, deliver equal access to quality services and prevent discrimination.  

To estimate the economic cost, they calculated the costs that would be avoided if violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation ceased. The report considered market costs, such as those associated with government spending, loss of productivity and spending by households (such as home modifications) It also considered non-market costs that affect quality of life.