7 May 2013

Domestic Violence and Disability Group calls for public inquiry into abuse

Members of the Domestic Violence and Disability group, meeting in Auckland yesterday, expressed their disgust at reports that complaints made over a twelve year period by disabled people living at Parklands residential facility did not appear to have been taken seriously.

The group called for a full public inquiry into how the alleged abuse could continue for so long, to find out where else it is happening, and to prevent it from happening again.

Group member Raymond Thoumine, the Chair of People First Northern Region said: “Even when disabled people stand up for ourselves, we are often not believed. This has got to change.”

The group also called for a review into Domestic Violence legislation to ensure that disabled people are properly protected from abuse by paid caregivers.

Group member Nicola Owen of Auckland Disability Law said: “The New Zealand government ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2008, which guarantees disabled people the right to live free from abuse. Five years on, to still hear of situations like this is appalling. A full inquiry that involves disabled people and leads to real change is needed so that people can have confidence in the system.”

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