Royal Commission must be welcomed by all

Friday February 15, 2019

Endeavour Foundation strongly supports a Royal Commission to investigate violence, abuse and neglect of people with disability in institutional settings. 

Born of a desire to meet the needs and advance the human rights of people with a disability, we believe that all support organisations must welcome the spotlight a Royal Commission would shine into the disability sector.

It is only by exposing experiences of abuse, neglect and exploitation to the light of day, that we can identify and root out the causes, ensuring people with a disability can live free of mistreatment and harm.

A Royal Commission must also provide access for all people with disability, including people with intellectual disability.

For too long the people most at risk of abuse have been denied a voice in the justice system. Special witness provisions must be adopted to assist people with intellectual disability to speak out.

I also urge the Government to ensure thorough public consultation on the terms of reference, so that people with a disability can guide the Royal Commission to investigate the areas of greatest concern to them.

I welcome every effort to ensure people living with disability can live free of abuse.

Endeavour Foundation calls on all Australians to do the same.

Andrew Donne
CEO, Endeavour Foundation