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Australia has laws about disability rights. The law says people with disabilities must be treated fairly. It also says that violence is not okay, including violence that happens at home.
In Australia, laws give people the right to be part of their community. These laws say you have a right to be treated well in all areas of your life like:
You have the right to feel safe.
You have the right to health care.
You have the right to work and education.
You have the right to decide where and with whom you live.
You can choose how you spend your money.
It's your choice when and where you go outside your home. You can go to the shops, a park or a restaurant. You can go to other places, too.
You have the right to get the support you need.
When you get help, you have the right to ask for another opinion. You have the right to ask for a different support person or health worker.
You have the right to decide how to go about your life, including where and with whom you live. You have the right to choose how you spend your money. You have the right to be safe from violence.
Women and gender-diverse people with disabilities are much more likely than other people to:
Some women and gender-diverse people experience violence because of their gender.
Violence and discrimination are not okay. It is against the law in Australia to treat someone unfairly because of their disability, sexuality or gender.
In Australia, it is against the law to hurt someone using physical violence. It is also against the law to threaten to hurt someone.
Australian law uses the term 'family and domestic violence' to describe violence that happens between family members or in intimate relationships.
Australian law does not talk about gender-based violence. However, we know that women and girls with disabilities are more likely than others to experience violence and abuse from friends, supporters, family members and strangers.
The laws around family and domestic violence are different in every state and territory in Australia. Read more about this on the Neve page Domestic and family violence (internal link).
It is not ok for anyone to:
All these things are illegal under Australian law. For more information, watch this video (external link) by Services Australia on domestic and family violence.
If you face violence or unfairness, you should seek help. You could:
Eve has trouble reading and writing. She needs support to be able to do day-to-day tasks. Her mum is her primary support person. Eve's mum has been taking her disability support pension payments and not letting Eve spend her own money. She shouts at Eve and calls her names. Sometimes, she hits Eve. This is not okay. It is illegal. Eve decides to talk to someone outside of her family about the problem. She wants help and support in deciding how to be safe. She calls the 1800RESPECT hotline and talks to the person on the phone. They give Eve options to stay safe.
This section of the website lets you know where to go and what to do when you need help. People who've been hurt by violence will find advice here, but others will find it helpful, too. There is information about legal support, health services, money, sex and relationships and violence and abuse. If you are in a difficult situation and don't know what to do, the strategies here can make a difference.
Find out moreResearch shows us that one of the most dangerous times for a person experiencing abuse happens when they leave the abusive situation. You don't have to stay out of fear. There are things you can do to improve your safety during this difficult time. Nor do you have to figure everything out for yourself. Here, we share tips and resources to help you leave an unhealthy relationship safely.
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May 13, 2024
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Patricia Giles Centre for Non-Violence
A guide for women with disability experiencing family and domestic violence.
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May 13, 2024
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Patricia Giles Centre for Non-Violence
A guide for women with disability and mothers of children with disability who have experience of family and domestic violence.
Check resource
May 4, 2024
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1800 RESPECT
If you are going to leave a relationship, deciding what to take with you is an important step in creating a safety plan. This checklist helps you plan what you may need to take if you need to leave.
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