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14

Freedom from exploitation, violence and abuse (Article 16)

23. Persons with disabilities in poor families are usually left to stay at

home by themselves while other members go to work. For those with

serious disabilities who cannot help themselves, the situation might

amount to neglect, and those who are women and girls are at risk of

sexual abuse as can be seen from news reports. However, concerned

government departments have not adopted a pro-active approach to

protect persons with disabilities who are particularly vulnerable to

exploitation and abuse. They only have measures to assist them after such

a case is found. The Social Development and Human Security Ministry has

a hotline number 1300 to receive reports on abuses and exploitation cases

and its office in each province has two officers to provide legal assistance

to those in need. There is a complaint, however, that some hotline staff

do not have enough knowledge and understanding to give advices and

effective assistance to persons with disabilities.

24. Recommendation: The DEP should develop a system to protect persons

with disabilities who are vulnerable, such as those left alone at home, from

exploitation and abuse. There could be a network of volunteers to visit

persons with disabilities in their community on a regular basis. The DEP may

cooperate with the Public Health Ministry to use the existing system of

health volunteers to provide information on persons with disabilities in the

community who are in vulnerable situations so that appropriate measures

could be developed to protect them. As regards measures for assistance,

the Social Development and Human Security Ministry should provide

training to hotline staff so that they have sufficient knowledge to give

preliminary advices to those making a phone call complaint.