Women with disabilities are scared they'll be left behind by government plans to address violence against women, despite being particularly at risk. While those fleeing a violent partner will be eligible for a $5,000 assistance payment, that doesn't apply to those trying to escape a carer or family member.
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00:00 Women with a disability are nearly twice as likely to face sexual and physical abuse.
00:06 And while those fleeing a violent partner are eligible for the $5,000 payment, that
00:10 doesn't actually apply to those who are trying to escape a carer or a family member.
00:14 That's something President of People with Disability Australia, Marie Kajonkers, says
00:17 is a massive problem.
00:19 That's where violence and sexual assault is happening from caregivers.
00:24 They may not be your intimate partner, but you're trapped in there and don't have a way
00:29 to escape.
00:31 Despite these calls, the government says it's not going to expand eligibility.
00:34 So we asked the Social Services Minister, Amanda Rishworth, what exactly women with
00:38 disabilities being abused by a carer or a family member should do.
00:42 There is obviously the complaints, if this is a carer registered with the NDIS, there's
00:48 quality and safeguards avenues there for someone with a disability.
00:55 Obviously there are other avenues through Centrelink for crisis payments.
00:59 But in a case where someone with a disability was being abused by a paid carer, for example,
01:06 then they should get in touch with the NDIS Safeguards Commission.
01:11 While many NDIS participants do use paid carers, not all of those who use these services are
01:15 on the NDIS.
01:17 President of Women with Disabilities Australia, Karen Swift, says for many it's not as simple
01:21 as going to complain to the NDIS Safeguards Commissioner or to Centrelink.
01:24 She says many wouldn't even know where to start or would be prevented from doing so.
01:28 Her organisation wants the government to urgently expand eligibility for this payment so that
01:32 women amongst those most at risk can actually access it.
01:35 Less than half of those who applied for the government's Escaping Violence payment were
01:39 successful in actually getting the funding, with 23% deemed ineligible, 7% still waiting
01:44 for an answer and 33% not completing the process.
01:47 [BLANK_AUDIO]