Do you have an important story to share about your experiences of psychosocial disability?
Are you from a rural or regional community, or English is not your first language?
VMIAC is here to support you make a submission to the Federal Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability. We are the consumer lead organisation representing those with a lived experience of mental health challenges or emotional distress. We have a dedicated peer support worker available to help you make your Royal Commission submission.
What is the Disability Royal Commission?
The Disability Royal Commission was established in April 2019 in response to community concern about widespread reports of violence against, and the neglect, abuse and exploitation of, people with disability, both historic and ongoing. This Royal Commission looks at the experiences of people with physical, intellectual, sensory and/or psychosocial disability. As the peak body for people with mental health challenges or emotional distress, we will ensure the consumer voice is heard loud and clear in this inquiry.
The Disability Royal Commission will investigate:
- Preventing and better protecting people with disability from experiencing violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation
- Achieving best practice in reporting, investigating and responding to violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of people with disability
- Promoting a more inclusive society that supports people with disability to be independent and live free from violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation.
What is a psychosocial disability?
A psychosocial disability is any mental health condition that causes barriers in your day-to-day life. It is sometimes hard for people with psychosocial disabilities to identify as having a disability, but it is an important step in changing the system.
Can I make a submission?
Mental health challenges and emotional distress are often omitted from conversations about disability. However, experiences of harm are common among consumers, both in and outside of the system. We are committed to ensuring the consumer voice is heard in this inquiry so these harms are not repeated.
What is VMIAC doing to help?
VMIAC has a dedicated peer support worker available to help you make your submission. We have also created a suite of resources to help you understand the submission process. We understand how difficult remembering and talking about painful and/or traumatic experiences can be, so we take a trauma-informed approach that works to your strengths and preferences. We can provide support across one or multiple sessions through a range of communication methods such as email, phone, or Zoom, to help you . There are also additional supports available to help you feel safe and supported.
What if I don’t live in the city?
We strongly encourage people from rural and regional communities to take part, as these groups face additional barriers to health and mental health services and support. We have teleconferencing services available to help you connect with our peer worker. We also work to your strengths, so phone, Zoom, and email support is also available.
What if I English is not my first language?
Interpreter services are available to ensure you receive the help you need in your preferred language.
How to contact
Support is by appointment only. Please call VMIAC reception on 9380 3900 to register your interest, or email reception@vmiac.org.au with the Subject line: “Disability Royal Commission Support”. Please provide your name and preferred contact and our peer support worker will be in touch to set up an appointment.
We will also be hosting community information sessions about the submission process, so stay tuned for announcements by following our website and social media channels.
More Information and Resources
Some of these resources may include outdated contact information as we have changed how this support is managed since they were developed, please direct all queries to reception via the contact methods above. the rcsupport@vmiac.org.au email address is no longer active, and messages to this account will not be seen.