How to Make a Report
Who can use the hotline? | Privacy | How to make a report
Who can use the Hotline?
The Hotline can be used by anyone to report cases of abuse and neglect of people with disabilities who are using government funded services in Australia.
The types of people who can contact the service include people with disabilities, parents, carers, advocates, staff at services, or health, education and other professionals.
Government funded services which are used by people with disabilities include:
- Open employment services
- Supported employment services
- Accommodation
- Community services
- Respite
- Community support
Open employment services: these assist people with disabilities to gain and retain paid employment in the work force in the open labour market,
Supported employment services: these support the paid employment of people with disabilities for who competitive employment is unlikely or who need substantial ongoing support to obtain or retain paid employment,
Accommodation: services including group homes, hostels and large institutions, and support services to maintain accommodation eg. attendant care and in-home support,
Community services: community access services to help people with a disability to develop or maintain the personal skills and self-confidence necessary to enhance their independence and self-reliance in the community,
Respite: care services to relieve or support (for limited periods) people with a disability living in the community and their families and carers,
Community support: support to help people with a disability to integrate and participate in the community. For example, case management, information or referral and counselling services.
Privacy
Callers are encouraged to provide as much information as possible, including all relevant contact details. Where necessary, anonymous reports will be accepted.
Personal information will not be divulged to others without the authority of a caller or without a lawful excuse.
How to make a report
You can make a complaint simply by telephoning the Hotline on 1800 880 052, or for TTY 1800 301 130.
What kind of information will I need to report?
If you make a report, you will need to provide as much information as possible to enable the quick and thorough investigation of a report.
You will be encouraged to report:
- your name, address and age,
- some information about the service in which the abuse is occurring,
- the name of the person or persons responsible for the abuse,
- the name, age and address of the person being abused.
You will also need to give permission for the Hotline to pass information onto other organisations which can investigate your report.
We will contact you later to find out what action has been taken and if you are satisfied with the outcome.
Contact numbers
To contact the Hotline, simply call the toll-free Hotline number 1800 880 052.
A telephone typewriter (TTY) service is available for callers with hearing impairments. To use this service, call 1800 301 130. Alternatively, phone the National Relay Service on 1800 555 677.
Callers from a non-English speaking background can also use a telephone interpreter service (TIS) by phoning 131 450.
If you think a crime has been committed or is being committed, contact your local police.
Emergency situations
In case of life threatening situations call 000 for attendance by Ambulance, Fire or Police services.
Help using the service
The staff who answer calls at the Hotline understand disabilities, are sensitive to the needs of people with disabilities and are aware of issues in the disability sector. In some instances, they will be able to provide immediate advice to callers.
Advocacy services can also be arranged for callers with disabilities who require assistance to report an allegation.