First disability abuse prevention Collaborative launches in NSW

15 Feb 2021

Canterbury-Bankstown establishes the first disability abuse focussed Collaborative for NSW.

Adults with disability living in Canterbury-Bankstown will benefit from the first Collaborative that will bolster local operations and assist the community to take action against abuse, neglect and exploitation.

Ageing and Disability Commissioner Robert Fitzgerald AM, said this Collaborative will bring together skilled frontline workers to develop local protocols, practice guidelines and communications aimed at responding to the issues, risk factors and circumstances that lead to the abuse of adults with disability in their family, home and community.

"This is a significant day for adults with disability living in Canterbury-Bankstown. They now have a dedicated group of professionals who have a critical understanding of local issues and can develop more tailored abuse prevention strategies that will better support them, and their community," Mr Fitzgerald said.

"Having the first disability abuse prevention Collaborative is a great commitment by this Council, and will help to promote the rights of adults with disability within the community and strengthen local responses."

"We want to see every Local Government Area across NSW establish a Collaborative for adults with disability and older people, because they are invaluable in the collective effort to ensure everyone lives free from abuse in their family, home and community."

Canterbury-Bankstown Mayor Khal Asfour said Council is committed to improving outcomes for adults with disability.

"We're dedicated to ensuring the rights of everyone in Canterbury-Bankstown are upheld by our community. This Collaborative is part of our continued effort to support adults with disability living in our local area."

The Collaborative will comprise local disability service providers, a NSW Police Aged Crime Prevention Officer, the city of Canterbury-Bankstown and is supported by the Ageing and Disability Commission.