Human Rights for Disabled Must Be Protected

The release of figures revealing that in the last financial year 190 government disability services staff have been investigated for alleged abuse shows that the NSW government needs to urgently invest additional resources into protecting the human rights of people who are disabled, according to Sylvia Hale, NSW Greens MP and spokesperson on disability services.

Three employees have been charged with assault in that period.

“While most of the allegations are unproven, the level of complaint is very disturbing” said Ms Hale.

“The Government is responsible for ensuring that the human rights of its clients are protected.

“The Government must develop and promote appropriate alternatives to the use of coercive measures and restraint in disability services.

“It needs to improve monitoring, investigative powers and enforcement.

“Investment in the professional development of its employees needs to be a priority for the government.

“It also needs to improve the pay and conditions of disability support workers to attract and retain more professionally qualified staff,” said Ms Hale.

“The government’s failure to produce the overdue report into critical incidents is unacceptable.

“Whether the report hasn’t been completed or is being deliberately withheld, it shows a systematic lack of concern for the human rights of people who are disabled,” said Ms Hale.