The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability (DRC) has recommenced their engagement sessions, after being postponed due to COVID-19. The first engagement session was an online meeting with representatives from a range of First Nations organisations in Victoria.

The Royal Commission has also announced their first public hearing since COVID-19, to be held during the week commencing Monday 17 August 2020 in Sydney. The public hearing will focus on the experiences of people with disability during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. 

So far the Royal Commission has received over 1,000 submissions. Some interesting facts include:

• 47% of submissions were from people with a disability
• 41% of submissions were from family members
• 16% of submissions were from advocates or paid carers.
• 29% of submissions were in relation to children/young people
• 46% of submissions came from females
• 24% came via the online form
• 65% came via email.
• The Eastern states (NSW, VIC & QLD) contributed to 74% of all submissions.

The Royal Commission is still actively encouraging submissions from individuals, families and carers, recently releasing their information brochures in a range of languages, in addition to their Easy Read and AUSLAN versions. In addition, they have released posters, flyers and postcards explaining how to make a submission.

Baptist Care SA will continue to provide regular updates on the Royal Commission; however, if you would like to access any of these resources, or would like more information about making a submission, please visit their website or contact Chelsea Arnold on 8273 7100 (a return phone call will be arranged) or [email protected].