Every day, Australians with disability are assaulted, neglected, raped and abused in institutional and residential settings.

Charges are rarely brought against perpetrators and when they are, people are often unable to testify because of their vulnerability.  There is a chronic lack of national data available and violence and abuse is gravely underreported.

Late last year, a report was released in Victoria - http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/latest-news/neglect-abuse-in-vic-housing-facilities/story-fn3dxiwe-1227063232583 - detailing the latest raft of abuse issues in Victoria.  Large organisations like Yooralla have been in the media yet again following charges being laid against a senior manager.  http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/new-sex-abuse-scandal-rocks-yooralla-as-senior-employee-charged-20140523-38sip.html

The Coroners findings in each state are littered with the stories of deaths of people with disability from abuse, neglect and entirely preventable causes. 

More than a quarter of rape cases reported in Australia are reported against women with disability and people living in institutional settings are many times more likely to be raped or assaulted than others.

We, the signatories of this petition, along with national peak disability bodies and over 96 organisations across Australia , call upon the Australian government to take urgent action, launch an immediate national enquiry and address the violence and abuse experienced by people with disability living in residential and institutional settings.