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Independent
Pi&·voc:sDy in the Tropics Inc. Monday, 9 September 2019
ROYAL COMMISSION INTO VIOLENCE, ABUSE, NEGLECT AND EXPLOITATION
OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY
Good morning Commissioners,
COMMUNITY FORUM -TOWNSVILLE: STATEMENT
By way of introduction my name is Deborah Wilson, I am the Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of Independent Advocacy in the Tropics Inc., a nationally accredited independent disability advocacy organization formed for and by people with disability in 1989.
I am delivering this Statement on behalf of our organization and for those who we advocate for and thank the Commissioner for allowing us to speak today. It is a sad fact that in our role of advocates, we see examples of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability all too frequently. Over the years we have made many reports and submissions in relation to the treatment of those with disability. Today, I would like to share with you short stories of three clients who have been subjected to abuse, neglect and exploitation. Names used in the stories are fictitious.
Belinda’s Story
Belinda had an intellectual disability, and debilitating epilepsy and was in care since she was
years old. was discovered by her sister in a fragile state, her legs and arms covered ■■■she
in sores, and half her hair had been shaved off. -it was discovered Belinda was suffering from the late stages of syphilis. Belinda could no longer communicate, she was immobile and had severe memory loss. There was no record of sexual abuse recorded against Belinda whilst in care and no one could say how or when she contracted syphilis.
Complaints made by her family to - Police, the care facility, the Office of the Health Ombudsman and Aged Care Commission proved fruitless. Belinda’s family contacted us to act on her behalf a few years ago but unfortunately not long after this, Belinda passed away. The system failed Belinda and her family terribly. Better communication between government regulatory organisations and a clear complaints pathway would have helped Belinda’s family in addressing the abuse and neglect Belinda suffered throughout her life while in care. It is only with our help that many details and supposedly lost records have come to light.
Independent Advocacy in the Tropics Inc.
Accredited Disability Advocacy Service
Office: 2/179-181 Ross River Road Mundingburra QLD 4812 PO Box 3065 Hermit Park QLD 4812
P: 07 4725 2505 Toll free: 1800 887 688 F: 07 4725 6106
E: reception@ianq.org.au W: www.ianq.org.au ABN: 13 573 741460
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Page 2
Paul’s Story
Paul is Autistic [MM He has been a consumer of mental health services for most of his adult life and an inpatient in several facilities. Paul was diagnosed with Schizophrenia in his 20s and his treatment has been directed towards it and not his Autism for over 30 years and during this time Paul received ECT treatment. Some facility treating teams and staff did not know Paul was Autistic. How could they not know?
It has only been the last 12 months that Autism has been diagnosed by his current treating team and his treatment adjusted. Sadly Paul is now institutionalized and services have great difficulty in transitioning Paul back to community living.
Paul is often physically assaulted in the facility by other patients, he is unsafe and acts out accordingly. When Paul returns to his home, his behaviour escalates and he and others are at risk, so he is transferred back to the facility, often by Police. Stakeholders are working together to have Paul returned to his home with the appropriate supports and it is hoped Paul’s need to return to hospital will be reduced and become less frequent.
Jenny’s Story
Jenny was larger than life who entered an aged care facility after iy
| | in a fall at a medical rehab unit while being treated for her mental illness. When discharged
from hospital, the unit was unable to accept her back so Jenny was transferred to this rural aged care facility, away from friends and community supports.
Jenny’s only living relative was an aged father We became Jenny’s advocates to assist her to return to live in her own community. We tried to have Jenny rehabilitated for her
physical injury but due to funding cuts the physiotherapist at the aged care facility only did outreach therapies so Jenny missed out on crucial rehabilitation to the extent that over time she became confined to her bed and a wheelchair.
In her time at the facility, Jenny was exposed to neglect, sexual assault, intimidation, loss of dignity and isolation many only reported by us to those in charge and government departments. Several attempts to transfer Jenny failed, but efforts were being made to bring services to Jenny and take her on outings. NDIS was life changing and Jenny was able to go to many community events with occasional day visits because she finally had a suitable
wheelchair. Jenny lived at the facility until her premature death from iE cancer.
In closing on behalf of our organisation, | would like to thank the Commissioner for allowing us to
share our client’s stories.
Warmest Regards
Deborah Wilson
Secretary\Chief Executive Officer
Independent Advocacy in the Tropics Inc.
Who we are
Independent Advocacy in the Tropics Inc., is an accredited independent disability advocacy organisation providing advocacy support for people with disability.
We also undertake systemic advocacy projects to promote positive changes within communities, and throughout all levels of government. We do this by analysing and responding to community attitudes of service models and practices that create dependency and segregation and impact negatively on people with disability.
Accessing our services
We are able to offer FREE advocacy services for those with a disability through various government funding streams.
There are no barriers to age, ethnic background or type of disability including those living with mental illness.
A person can self-refer or if you are a family member, carer or support person to someone with a disability or even a service provider, you can make a referral for advocacy. It is important to note however that if you are referring someone to us we are only able to act for that person if they wish us to do so.
Referrals are reviewed and prioritized according to levels of vulnerability and urgency.
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Funded By
Department of Social Services;
Department of Communities, Child Safety
and Disability Services;
Queensland Health
supporting excellence
CERTIFICATION
National Standards for
Disability Services
CERTIFIED DISABILITY
VOCACY
ORGANISATION
Independent Advocacy in the Tropics Inc. trading as
Independent Advocacy NQ
Independent Advocacy Townsville
Supporting people since 1989
Office 2, 179-181 Ross River Road
Mundingburra Qld 4812
PO Box 3065 Hermit Park Qid 4812
Phone: (07) 4725 2505
FREECALL 1800 887 688
Fax: (07) 4725 6106 Email: reception@ianq.org.au
AKR
Independent
Advocacy NQ
Accredited Disability
Advocacy Service
“To stand with vulnerable people with disability through vigorous independent advocacy.”
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Servicerv andn serviceervice regiregionons AdvocacyAd andd thehe NDID I SS
Whether you have an issue with a service, Once you apply for the NDIS, you start the business or government department, we planning and assessment process which is
The need for advocacy can advocate and support you. Our focused on you as the participant. It aims
h n df d c Advocates will also support and be with you to maximise your choice and control byPeople with disability are in particular need of through formal and judicial hearings for working through your existing and future
advocacy because they often experience or example: support needs.
are vulnerable to discrimination, neglect,
exploitation and/or abuse. They are just as • legal/justice proceeding (including You are able to have a support person such
valuable as any other person regardless of correctional facilities); as an advocate. If you are not sure what
what they do or don't do. • Queensland Civil and Administrative to do or you need help at any stage of the
Tribunal (QCAT) hearings; planning process or if you have difficulties
People with disability should not be • Mental Health Review and Court with service providers we are here to help.
separated, segregated or isolated. They proceedings; should be able to make their own decisions, • NDIS Appeals and other Administrative
make mistakes, have courage, be fearful, be Appeals Tribunal (AAT) matters Reviewing Decisions
likeable, be unpleasant just as any other If you think a decision made by the NDIA
person. Our service region stretches across the about you is wrong, you can submit an
north and north-west regions of application for Internal Review of a
What advocacy can do for you Queensland. These areas are: decision. Reviewable decisions include
If ou feel that you re in a situation • Burdekin Shire things like not being accepted as a fo o yhat dvocacv acwhere your rights and wishes are not being • Charters Towers Region participant, the rejection of reasonable and necessary supports, or the reduction of Flinders Shireheard our advocates may be able to assist • funding. • Ingham Region (including Palm Island)you by: • Isaac Region **
• listening to you and speaking for you; • Mackay Region ** NDIS Appeals
• making sure you are treated fairly and • Mckinlay Shire If you are still dissatisfied with a decision following an Internal Review, you can apply your rights respected and upheld; • Richmond Shire to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal by • providing you with a quality accredited • Townsville
service; • Tully making a NDIS Appeal.
• advocating in ways that are creative, Whitsunday Region *
responsive and flexible; • Wooroonoora11 We are able to provide you with specialist advocacy assistance during this process • explain each step to be taken to enable
you to make your own decision; ** Only NDIS Appeals advocacy support and you may also be eligible for legal
• maintaining your confidentiality; and by services available in these regions. assi-stance if your matter is deemed complex and/or novel. • supporting you throughout the process.
We are here to guide you and give you the information you need to make decisions that are right for you.
The King .Pro·.t:ea (flower) stands for change & transformation. It signifies daring & resourcefulness. A symbol of diversity & courage.
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Office 2, 179--181 Ross River Rd, Mundingburra Qld 4812 •PO Box 3067 Hermit Park Qld 4812
Phone: (07) 4725 2505 FREECALL 1800 887 688 supporting excellence
Fax: (07) 4725 6106 CERTIFICATION
Email: reception@iat.org.au AS/NZS ISO 9001:2008
Website: www.independentadvocacy.org.au QUALITY CERTIFIED ORGANISATION