Your rights
Everyone has the right to feel safe and be protected from abuse. No one is allowed to threaten you, hurt you, or touch you in a way that makes you feel uncomfortable, unsafe, or afraid.
Abuse is not ok.
Every person has the right to feel safe and respected, and everyone has the right to:
- live their life safely
- be free from:
- abuse
- violence
- neglect
- discrimination
- fear
- make choices about their life
- be treated with respect and dignity by others at all times.
Where to get help
Asking for help can save you from mental and physical suffering – it may even save your life. There are people who can help you if you are being abused or neglected.
Remember – it is not your fault if someone abuses you!
If you think you are being abused in any way, you should tell someone.
- If you are in danger now – contact 000 and tell the police.
- National Disability Abuse and Neglect Hotline
Call 1800 880 052 or email hotline@workfocus.com
You can find more information on the National Disability Abuse and Neglect Hotline webpage. - If you are deaf, have hearing loss, or speech impairment, you can contact the National Relay Service
- Callers from a non-English speaking background can use the Translating and Interpreting Service (TIS) by calling 13 14 50
Support
1800RESPECT counsellors now provide improved support to people with disabilities who are impacted by violence and abuse, and the service has been accredited by Scope.
You can contact 1800RESPECT in different ways:
- Call 1800RESPECT on 1800 737 732
Chat online on your computer or phone.
- Go to chat at https://chat.1800respect.org.au/#/welcome
If you need a relay service (NRS)
- Call 1800 555 677
- or TTY 133 677
- Then ask for 1800 737 732
1800RESPECT has a Disability Support Kit which includes videos and Easy English resources.
Other numbers to call for emotional support
- National Counselling and Referral Service 1800 421 468 or 02 6146 1468 https://tinyurl.com/ybdhjfto
- Lifeline 13 11 14 www.lifeline.org.au/
- Kids Helpline 1800 551 800 www.kidshelpline.com.au/
- Beyondblue 1300 224 636 www.beyondblue.org.au/
- Suicide Call Back Service: 1300 659 467 www.suicidecallbackservice.org.au/
Helpful resources
- The Disability Safe Week website includes Easy Read information on:
- What is emotional abuse?
- What is physical abuse?
- What is neglect?
- What is sexual abuse?
- What is discrimination?
- What is financial abuse?
- What is family and domestic violence?
- What are human rights? Video with captions
- 1800RESPECT has a Disability Support Kit available.
- Find an independent advocate to help you via the Disability Advocacy Finder