Education and Learning Issues Paper Response: A Submission to the Royal Disability Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability
On 30 October 2019, the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation (The Royal Commission) released their Education and Learning Issues Paper. The report highlights key issues to be investigated by The Royal Commission.
NOFASD Australia recently submitted their Education and Learning Issues Paper Response Report to provide an overview of the experiences of people with FASD and their families in education settings in Australia.
A survey was designed to capture the education experiences of children with FASD. The survey consisted of 38 questions on topics identified in the Issues Paper. The survey was disseminated via the NOFASD social media platforms (Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and LinkedIn) and a NOFASD special interest email newsletter.
NOFASD received a total of 88 participant responses to the survey, all of which informed the Education and Learning Issues Paper Response to The Royal Commission. A summary of the results is provided below:
- The majority of participants (71.4%) reported that their children with FASD experienced discrimination, prejudice or exclusion by teachers and/or management staff in an education setting.
- The majority of parent and carer participants (54.6%) reported having experienced discrimination, prejudice or exclusion by teachers and/or management staff in an education setting.
- The majority of participants (61%) reported that their children with FASD had been suspended or expelled from an education setting for reasons associated with their disability.
- A large majority of survey participants (77.6%) reported that teaching and/or other education staff had limited FASD training, resulting in their children receiving lower quality education.
- Over half (51.3%) of parents/carers reported that their children with FASD were subject to neglect within an education and/or learning environment, a quarter (25.6%) reported abuse, 17.9% reported violence and 5.1% reported exploitation.
To read the report in full, click here.
If you are a teacher or education staff member and wish to find out more about FASD, please contact us via our email enquiry link or on our Helpline 1800 860 613. For information on training and workshops, click here.
The Royal Commission is still accepting personal submissions. If you would like to share your story, visit The Royal Commission website. For counselling and support in relation to your submission, click here. If you require FASD-related support or advice, feel free to contact NOFASD on 1800 860 613.
