A Timeline of Disability-Led Violence Prevention in Aotearoa

The movement to prevent and respond to violence against disabled people in Aotearoa spans decades, shaped by lived experience, tireless advocacy, and community-led action.

Below is a brief timeline of key moments in this journey, from 1970.

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We are grateful to Debbie Hager, a founding member of VisAble, who developed this timeline. 

1970–2000: Early Advocacy and Research

  • There were calls for an enquiry into what was happening in Lake Alice.   

  • Disabled women first raise violence issues with the Ministry of Women’s Affairs.

  • The Disabled People’s Assembly women’s caucus highlights the violence faced by disabled women.

  • Groundbreaking work by academics and organisations exposes the risks of sterilisation, abuse, and systemic neglect.

2001 – 2010: Building Evidence and Awareness

  • Research links domestic violence with mental distress, intellectual disability, and institutional abuse.

  • The Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is signed by NZ in 2007.

  • The Disability Coalition Against Violence and Domestic Violence & Disability Working Group are formed.

  • Auckland Disability Law is established to uphold legal rights.

2011 – 2015: Community Responses Emerge

  • People First’s Keeping Safe Feeling Safe (KSFS) programme rolls out across Aotearoa.

  • The Safeguarding Adults from Abuse (SAFA) model is developed, piloted, and championed.

  • Reports highlight gaps in services and legal protection for disabled people.

2016 – 2020: System Change and Collective Action

  • SAFA is piloted in Waitematā, in partnership with Police and Te Whatu Ora.

  • The Human Rights Commission begins focused work on violence and disability.

  • The Adult Safeguarding Alliance is formed, led by the disability community.

  • Sir Robert Martin is knighted for his lifelong advocacy.

[image from 1news.co.nz]

2021 – 2023: Recognition and Strategy

  • Te Puna Aonui funds a violence prevention framework led by and for tāngata whaikaha Māori and disabled communities.

  • The Human Rights Commission publishes two major reports calling for urgent action.

  • Family Violence Death Review Committee begins reporting on disabled victims.

  • Whaikaha leads a national safeguarding framework redesign.

2024: Royal Commission findings released 

  • The findings of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into Historical Abuse in State Care and in the Care of Faith-based Institutions are released. 

  • The Royal Commission of Inquiry had lasted for more than five years. 

  • The report concludes that between 113,000 and 253,000 children, young people and adults had been abused and neglected at state and faith-based institutions in New Zealand between 1950 and 1999. 

2024: VisAble is Launched

  • VisAble is founded by the contribution and dedication of many individuals, especially Sue Hobbs and Debbie Hager—as the first disabled person-led organisation in Aotearoa, which is focused on preventing and responding to violence and abuse against tāngata whaikaha Māori, d/Deaf, disabled people, and Adults at Risk. 

This timeline honours the decades of mahi by disabled people, advocates, researchers, and allies who laid the foundations for a future where all people are safe, valued, and supported to thrive. VisAble proudly stands on their shoulders to continue this vital work.

VisAble acknowledges Sir Robert Martin and Dr Pauline Boyles and the commitment and drive they each brought to this mahi.

Sir Robert died in April 2024. Pauline died in October 2024.