Disability and the Law

Redressing Violence, Abuse and Neglect of People Living with Dementia in Residential Aged Care 

Led by A/Prof Linda Steele

• The research aims to develop a set of principles and a framework to guide law and policy on redress of violence, abuse and neglect of people living with dementia in residential aged care. The project: explores the perspectives of people living with dementia, care partners, and advocates and lawyers on the necessity, scope and delivery of redress; considers international human rights on reparations; and analyses secondary data on the experiences of people who have accessed other Australian redress schemes. 

• The project is funded by a Dementia Centre for Research Collaboration – Dementia Australia Research Foundation Pilot Grant. Kate Swaffer is an associate investigator and Dementia Alliance International and People with Disability Australia are project partners.  

• The project will provide an evidence base for redress which can shape law and policy on responses to violence, abuse and neglect of people living with dementia. 

Visit the project website: https://www.dementiajustice.org/ 

Women with Disability and the Disability Royal Commission 

Led by A/Prof Linda Steele

• The research aims to broaden official and public understandings of the form and scope of violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation of women and girls with disability and to contribute to the findings and recommendations of the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation. These aims will be achieved through the working with Women with Disabilities Australia to draft two submissions to the Disability Royal Commission. 

• The research is funded by Women with Disabilities Australia. The project engages with key groups through a submission to the Disability Royal Commission. 

• The research will impact law and policy to prevent and redress violence against women and girls with disability, particularly sexual and reproductive violence, and challenge prevailing attitudes that this violence is benevolent and necessary. 

The Legal Regulation of Behaviour as a Disability

Led by Dr Karen O'Connell and Distinguished Professor Isabel Karpin

• The research aims to develop a comprehensive analysis of the legal issues raised by the expansion of the category of behavioural disability.
• The research is funded by an Australia Research Council Discovery Grant (DP150102935:“The Legal Regulation of Behaviour as a Disability”).
• This work will ensure that laws which seek to regulate people with challenging behaviour maximise social and economic participation by taking full account of the goals of equality and social inclusion.