If you or anyone you know needs help
- Lifeline: 13 11 14
- MensLine: 1300 789 978
- Kids Helpline: 1800 551 800
- 1800RESPECT: 1800 737 732
- National Disability Abuse and Neglect Hotline: 1800 880 052
- Aboriginal Family Domestic Violence Hotline: 1800 019 123
Zero Tolerance (an NDS initiative) assists disability service providers to understand, implement and improve practices which safeguard the rights of people
they support.
Find out more about the Royal Commission
RC releases report on police responses and 2022 hearings
20/10/2021
A research report has been released by the RC focusing on police responses to people with disability, noting the disproportionate rate at which they come into contact with the justice system. The authors suggest police-led responses to people with disability 'remain inadequate and ineffective' and that the justice system (including police) enables, rather than prevents, abuse.
The report includes a literature review, desktop review, compilation of case studies and consultations with disability advocates, support people and police. It notes while people with intellectual disability represent 2.9 per cent of the Australian population, they represent 18 per cent of people in custody in NSW. These rates are even higher for First Nations people with intellectual disability.