Understanding Abuse
Understanding abuse is about recognising abuse as a violation of a person's human rights. A focus on what makes life good for each person is the best way to enable rights and minimise risk of abuse. It is also about knowing what signs to be aware of that abuse is happening or has taken place.
Online Human Rights Training
Human Rights and You
Human Rights are the foundation of the Zero Tolerance framework. Human Rights and You is a new national video-based e-learning program for disability support workers about why human rights matter when supporting people with disability. It explores topics including:- What are Human Rights
- Rights and Responsibilities
- When Rights Go Wrong
- Asking for Help
This short and informative program takes around 30-minutes to complete. A Human Rights and You workbook (with accessible version) is available for use with the program.
What this short animation to learn more about Human Rights.
- 'What Are Human Rights' animation. (English, No captions)
- 'What Are Human Rights' animation (English with English Captions)
- 'What are Human Rights' animation (English with Cantonese captions)
- 'What are Human Rights' animation (English with Greek captions)
- 'What are Human Rights' animation (English with Korean captions)
- 'What are Human Rights' animation (English with Mandarin captions)
- 'What are Human Rights' animation (English with Turkish captions)
- 'What are Human Rights' animation (English with Vietnamese captions)
Understanding Abuse
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‘Understanding Abuse’ e-learning programA 30-minute video based e-learning program for disability support workers. Three modules with printable worksheets help facilitate personal and group reflection and a commitment to action. There are three options for accessing the Understanding Abuse e-learning modules
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‘Understanding Abuse’ Learning BitesThe ‘Understanding Abuse’ Learning Bites are 3-5 minute videos addressing eight life areas. They can be used to promote discussion and personal reflection by support workers. Each Learning Bite has a printable worksheet to be completed and signed off by the supervisor. “I really benefited from the videos, and being able to hear what others saw in the scenarios.” Access the Learning Bites here: |
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‘Understanding Abuse’ downloadable worksheetsThese easy-to-use worksheets promote reflection, team discussion and action through simple personal and team exercises. Includes checklists to help support workers to recognise instances of good, poor and abusive practice, and to take action. Download the Learning Bite worksheets here (PDF 1.72MB, WORD 135KB) |
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‘Understanding Abuse’ Guide for SupervisorsProvides useful information for supervisors to use ‘Understanding Abuse’ with staff. Offers additional training information, scenarios and links to other relevant training and resources. Download the Guide for Supervisors here (PDF 1.20MB, WORD 4.20MB) |
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‘Empowerment Circle’ diagramThe Empowerment Circle can be used to help you think about how people can be more empowered in all areas of their lives, and to recognise poor or neglectful practice, abuse and crime. |
Links to other useful resources:
- Rights Under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disability (UNCRPD) video from Disability Advocacy Resource Unit (DARU)
- Say 'No' to Abuse E. W. Tipping Foundation
- A Worker's Guide to Safeguarding People Living with Disability from Abuse ASID and ADP
- United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD): Easy Read Version and Child Friendly Version
National Disability Services would like to acknowledge the funding from the Victorian Government which allowed these resources to be developed.
For more information contact Mary Lou McPherson, National Practice Lead - Zero Tolerance, (03) 8341 4300, ; or Dave Relf, National Practice Lead - Zero Tolerance, (03) 8341 4300,
© National Disability Services (NDS) 2017 applies to NDS Zero Tolerance logo, Zero Tolerance Framework and The Empowerment Circle.Copyright permissions
NDS grants permission for users to copy, distribute, display, download and otherwise freely deal with Zero Tolerance resources for any personal or organisational purpose, on condition that proper acknowledgment is included on all uses. Any use of zero Tolerance resources for commercial gain is strictly prohibited.