Can I share my story if someone else makes decisions for me?
Yes, you can.
If someone else has been appointed to make decisions for you, you can still share your story directly with the Disability Royal Commission.
If a court said you can’t give evidence in a legal case in the past, you can still share your story with the Disability Royal Commission.
The Disability Royal Commission wants to hear your story if you are a person with disability and have been hurt, treated badly, refused help or taken advantage of.
People, including disability advocates, lawyers from Your Story Disability Legal Support or staff at the Disability Royal Commission, can support you in different ways to share your story.
You can look at our factsheet about Can I share my story? for further general information.
Call 1800 77 1800 Monday to Friday (free call) or go to our contact us page for other ways to reach us.
Will I get in trouble for sharing a story?
The Disability Royal Commission wants to hear your story if you, or someone you know has been hurt, treated badly, refused help or taken advantage of.
You might have a story to share about what you have seen at the place:
- you live
- you work
- you volunteer
You might be worried about sharing your story with the Disability Royal Commission because:
- you think the person in authority (for example, your boss or staff at a care facility) may not want you to share your story with the Disability Royal Commission
- you think you or another person might be unsafe/treated badly if you share your story
- you have signed legal documents that say you can’t tell outsiders about your work or what you have seen.
Your Story Disability Legal Support can give you advice about the different ways you can protect yourself or protect someone else.
You can look at our factsheet Will I get in trouble? for further general information.
Call 1800 77 1800 Monday to Friday (free call) or go to our contact us page for other ways to reach us.
How do I keep safe?
Your safety and security are important. The Disability Royal Commission can work with you to protect you if you have been, or are being, hurt or treated badly and you want to share your story.
Your Story Disability Legal Support can give you legal advice about safe ways to share your story with the Disability Royal Commission. We can support you to:
- share your story without giving your name or contact details; or
- share your story privately.
Call 1800 77 1800 Monday to Friday (free call) or go to our contact us page for other ways to reach us.
What happens after I share my story with the Disability Royal Commission?
Royal Commissions make recommendations to government about what should change to improve our society.
The Disability Royal Commission is due to deliver a final report to the Australian Government by September 2023. In this report, the Disability Royal Commission will recommend how to improve laws, policies, structures and practices to ensure a more inclusive and just society for people with disability.
When you share your story with the Disability Royal Commission, they may use that information to help inform the recommendations for change. If you agree, your story might be included in the Disability Royal Commission’s reports or published on its website. You can request your details remain private if the Disability Royal Commission publishes your story.
You can look at our factsheet about What happens after I share my story at a private session? for further general information.