News
Content note: contains reference to reporting an assault.
Many of Australia’s leading disability advocates are in New York this week to attend the Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (COSP18).
Now in its eighteen year, the conference encourages countries around the world to engage themselves to develop and carry out policies, laws and administrative measures and abolish laws, regulations, customs and practices that constitute discrimination, according to its website.
Key topics of conversation over the past two days have included the need for better understanding when people with disability report criminal activity, improving emergency evacuation strategies and further calls to recognise intersectionality when it comes to policy delivery.
Disability rights campaigner Elly Desmarchelier presented her case for educating law enforcement around sexual violence against people with disability, calling on world leaders to develop terminology, train law enforcement, and fund education.
When I reported my assault to police, this language gap became a weapon against me. I couldn’t articulate that my attacker deliberately chose me because of my disability. Silence perpetuates harm. People with disability face 2 to 5 times higher rates of sexual violence, yet we can’t even name what targets us.
Elly Desmarchelier
Chair of Australia’s National Disability Research Partnership Clare Gibellini took part in a discussion surrounding the importance of building resilience in emergencies for people with disabilities.
“I focused on ways to build that resilience and inclusion from inside the emergency management organisations and agencies,” they said
Women with Disabilities Australia CEO Sophie Cusworth also spoke, highlighting the need to embed intersectionality when enacting human rights legislation, and ensure meaningful co-design in all decisions.
Reflecting on the event, Ms Cusworth said she is honoured to have played a role in vital discussions with disability advocates from around the world.
“I'm proud to be a part of an incredible cohort…who have delivered powerful interventions and events, and have led in the facilitation and moderation of critical discussions.”
The Conference of States Parties to the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities continues until 15th June.