There are 100+ cases a week of reported (to NDIS Commission)alleged abuse or violence against disability persons in Care in NSW alone. The article notes that 531 incidents were referred to the police which is a small proportion of the actual number of cases. Despite all these reports of abuse, very few perpetrators have been charged. It seems as if we have normalized and accepted abuse of disabled vulnerable people in our society. 

The reason the police are unmotivated to investigate the reported cases is the difficulty in finding evidence. This is why we need to have cameras installed in these care organisations. Further, there are no penalties or punishments for workers and the organisations, which makes the whole process almost futile. Why doesn't our system care about the vulnerable?

NDIS needs to address this gap in protection of vulnerable disabled people so they aren't violated in their places of care. My son faced physical abuse - he was hit on the head and after three months of swelling, there is a permanent mark on his head. I feel helpless and angry that I can't do anything to protect him. There are hundreds of cases like my son that will never see justice. 

Privacy is no excuse to not have cameras - we and our disability children are being watched already as part of this society everywhere we go, shops,streets,airports, train stations, libraries, cars, schools, daycare centres, childcare, hospitals, high schools  - now we need cameras where it matters even more to protect the vulnerable in respite houses and places of 'care' of our children whether young or old they are our children. At the very least, we need to start a conversation about how to balance the need for privacy with the need for cameras.

Please share the petition to stand up for our vulnerable.

Anndrea Wheatley 

Mother and resilience psychologist
https://www.change.org/p/the-federal-government-new-protection-laws-needed-for-vulnerable-persons-with-disabilities-over-18-years-old/psf/share