News
Media Release - 3 August 2001
Senator Amanda Vanstone, Minister for Family & Community Services and Minister Assisting the Prime Minister for the Status of Women
Abuse hotline for people with disabilities established
People with disabilities, their families and carers will soon have access to a national phone hotline to report abuse or neglect in government-funded services, Minister for Family and Community Services, Senator Amanda Vanstone, said today.
Senator Vanstone said she continued to hear anecdotal reports about abuse and neglect in government-funded services.
“This abuse Hotline will provide an opportunity for individuals
with a disability, families or their advocates to report cases of
physical, mental and sexual abuse, as well as neglect,” Senator
Vanstone said.
“Anonymous reporting will be accepted and the confidentiality
of the person reporting the information will be assured.”
Senator Vanstone said information reported to the Abuse Hotline would be passed promptly to the responsible Minister and the State authority.
“The Commonwealth Government is already taking action to improve service standards in its own areas of responsibility.
“The Commonwealth is well progressed on the new Quality Assurance system for Commonwealth funded disability employment services, and work is underway to improve service performance.
“The Government and the community expect people with disabilities to have access to quality services which are consistent with services provided to the rest of the community.
“If it is not a quality service then it should not attract government funding.”
Senator Vanstone said the Commonwealth Government would be moving quickly to establish the Abuse Hotline before October this year.
“This is really about focussing on the rights of people with disabilities, helping to ensure that those rights are not trampled upon – that they and their families have someone to turn to if their safety or personal wellbeing is under threat," Senator Vanstone said.