[dbaust] PWDA to support abuse survivors with disability
- From: Erika Webb <erikaweb@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: Erika Webb <erikaweb@xxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Sun, 9 Mar 2014 19:18:09 -0700 (PDT)
PWDA to support abuse survivors with disability
People with Disability Australia (PWDA) welcomes the announcement by the Hon
Kevin Andrews MP, of $4.9 million in specialist support programmes for
survivors of child sexual abuse. PWDA is one of eleven specialist organisations
funded by the Australian Government to provide support to abuse survivors
affected by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual
Abuse. PWDA will be supporting people with disability affected by the Inquiry.
MEDIA RELEASE
10 March 2014
PWDA to support abuse survivors with disability
People with Disability Australia (PWDA) welcomes the announcement by the Hon
Kevin Andrews MP, of $4.9 million in specialist support programmes for
survivors of child sexual abuse. PWDA is one of eleven specialist organisations
funded by the Australian Government to provide support to abuse survivors
affected by the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual
Abuse. PWDA will be supporting people with disability affected by the Inquiry.
“PWDA has a long history of working with people with disability who have
experienced violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation,” said Matthew Bowden,
Co-Chief Executive Officer of PWDA.
“We applaud the Australian Government’s acknowledgement of the sexual abuse
that children and young people with disability experience. We know that
children with disability are sexually abused at a much higher rate than their
non-disabled peers," said Mr Bowden. "These crimes are most often committed
toward girls and young women with disability, and 18% of women with disability
report that they experienced sexual violence as a child.”
PWDA President Craig Wallace said, “Children with disability are also at
heightened risk of living in institutionalised settings – whether it be out of
home care, special schools, or group homes, and it is well documented that
these living arrangements create environments where violence and abuse can
occur with impunity."
“We hope that by uncovering cases of past abuse, this Royal Commission can also
highlight strategies for prevention. We look forward to our role in supporting
people with disability across Australia to engage with the Commission, and in
building a better future for all people with disability.”
Anyone affected by the Royal Commission inquiry can contact PWDA on 1800 422
015 (freecall)
* PWDA policy position on preventing violence and abuse -
http://www.pwd.org.au/pwda-publications/stop-the-abuse.html
* Announcement by Hon Kevin Andrews MP -
http://kevinandrews.dss.gov.au/media-releases/57
*Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse website -
http://www.childabuseroyalcommission.gov.au/
More information about PWDA’s role in the delivery of Royal Commission support
services will be available shortly.
MEDIA: Co-Chief Executive Officer
Matthew Bowden: 0405 491 359
Phone: 02 9370 3100
Toll Free: 1800 422 015
Email: <pwd@xxxxxxxxxx>
People with Disability Australia Incorporated (PWDA) is a national disability
rights and advocacy, non-profit, non-government organisation. We have a
cross-disability focus, representing the interests of people with all kinds of
disability and our membership is made up of people with disability and
organisations mainly constituted by people with disability.
Our vision is of a socially just, accessible and inclusive community, in which
the human rights, citizenship, contribution, potential and diversity of all
people with disability are respected and celebrated.
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