This section is your 'one-stop-shop' for information about disability in Aotearoa, New Zealand, along with the risk of violence, abuse and neglect, and insights into barriers to services. As well as valuable information for all New Zealanders, it provides the context for safeguarding and the foundations of good practice.
The information is for:
tāngata whaikaha Māori, disabled people and their families and whānau
safeguarding service providers and professionals / practitioners, whether new or experienced
all people and services who come into contact with disabled people who are experiencing (or at risk of) violence, abuse or neglect.
Detailed information is provided on safeguarding support for people experiencing violence, abuse or neglect, coercion or other harm - and on how to access that support. Emergency information is also provided.
Safeguarding involves a team, working together to protect people's rights and safety. This section explains your rights, so you and your whānau / family can ensure your choices, decisions and rights are respected and upheld. This approach puts you at the centre of any safeguarding intervention.
The information is for:
disabled people and tāngata whaikaha Māori, who are experiencing violence, abuse or neglect or who are at risk of this
their whānau/family members
providers and professionals who are new to safeguarding.
Safeguarding providers and other professionals can access practical advice and resources when supporting disabled people who are experiencing (or who are at risk of) violence, abuse and neglect. The material covers risk identification and assessment, referral pathways, safety planning, and inter-agency collaboration, along with several key practices and an overview of organisational systems to support effective safeguarding.
The information is for:
all safeguarding service providers and all related professionals, whether new or experienced
all people and services who come into contact with disabled people who are experiencing (or at risk of) violence, abuse or neglect.
Tāngata whaikaha Māori, disabled people and their families and whānau are also welcome to access this information.
