The National Disability Abuse and Neglect Hotline

http://www.disabilityhotline.org/

 

The National Disability Abuse and Neglect Hotline is an Australia-wide telephone hotline for reporting abuse and neglect of people with disability. The Hotline works with callers to find appropriate ways of dealing with these reports.

If a caller reports abuse or neglect in a government-funded service, the Hotline will refer the report to the government body that funds the service. The funding body will investigate the report.

If a caller reports abuse or neglect in any other situation, the Hotline will refer the report to an agency able to investigate or otherwise address the report, such as an ombudsman or complaints-handling body.

The Hotline provides support to callers on how a complaint about abuse and neglect might be raised and resolved at the local level.

Callers with disability who need support to make a complaint are referred to advocacy assistance.

The Hotline also refers callers to organisations and services that may be able to help a person who has experienced abuse or neglect.

The National Disability Abuse and Neglect Hotline is fully funded by the Australian Government through the Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs and operated by People with Disability Incorporated.

Anyone can call the Hotline to report cases of abuse or neglect or to find out more about the service. The Hotline is open from 8am to 8pm across Australia, seven days a week. We can also be contacted by email enquiries@disabilityhotline.org

Cases of abuse and neglect can include physical, sexual, psychological, legal and civil abuse, restraint and restrictive practices, or financial abuse. It can also include the withholding of care and support which exposes an individual to harm.

Types of government funded services used by people with disability include open or supported employment, accommodation, community and respite care services.

As part of an effort to improve Australian government-funded disability services, the Australian Government Department of Families, Housing, Community Services and Indigenous Affairs will analyse statistical information from the service.