Restraining people with disabilities is ‘barbaric’, Royal Commission hears

The lawful but “barbaric” use of chemical and mechanical restraints on people with disability should spark public outrage, but instead their use is widely overlooked, a royal commission hearing has been told.

Dr Claire Spivakovsky, a criminologist from Melbourne University, told the disability royal commission that restraints include chemical restraint – the use of medication to make people more docile or lower their libido – and mechanical restraints, like being strapped to a chair or bed. A person may also be physically restrained by a staff member, or secluded.

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Topics:
Disability Royal Commission

Author:
Miki Perkins

Source:
Sydney Morning Herald

Date published:
Tue 3rd Dec, 2019