Supporting someone with disability if they’re affected by abuse

People with disability have a right to be treated equally. They have a right to be treated with respect and to control their own life.

If you suspect someone that you know is experiencing abuse, there are ways you can help them.

Signs someone with disability is affected by abuse

There may be some early warning signs, such as:

• changes in behaviour around certain people
• they may not want to eat
• they may be withdrawn and don’t want to be involved in activities
• their self care or hygiene may be neglected
• changes to their physical appearance, such as weight loss.

There are a series of videos to help you understand the signs that someone with disability is experiencing abuse. Find out more about responding to abuse on the National Disability Services website.

Support someone with disability who’s experiencing abuse

If you suspect someone with disability is experiencing abuse, you can:

• let them know they can always talk to you
• listen to them and not minimise their experience
• allow them to tell you what happened without asking questions so they don’t feel pressured
• let them know it’s not their fault
• let them know they’ve done the right thing by telling you
• record what you’ve seen or heard and when it happened
• report it to 1800RESPECT or the National Disability Abuse and Neglect Hotline on the Job Access website.

Find out more about responding to abuse on the National Disability Services website.

Find out more about people with disability who experience violence, abuse or neglect on the Better Health Channel website.