13 October 2023

The ACT Human Rights Commission received more than 1100 complaints and over 2300 inquiries in 2022-23, showing a continued high level of awareness about resolving concerns through the body’s complaints handling process, according to the 2022-23 annual report.

“We have seen another year of consistently high complaints, which we link to a growing  awareness about using the Commission’s complaints process to resolve concerns and issues,” said Acting Human Rights Commission President Heidi Yates.

“In the past year, we also provided significantly more financial assistance and client coordination to victims of crime than in previous years.”

Key data from the Commission’s annual report shows:

• More complaints from older people, including complaints about retirement villages.
• Complaints about the poor treatment or neglect of vulnerable Canberrans increased from 2 in 2019-20 (commenced May 2020) to 43 this year.
• Victim Support ACT (VSACT) assisted more than 3250 victims of crime; including a 29 per cent increase in new clients accessing case coordination.
• There was an 86 per cent increase in victims of crime applying for financial assistance, the largest annual increase since VSACT’s financial assistance scheme began seven years ago.
• The ACT Intermediary Program experienced a 52 per cent increase in referrals compared to last year.
• The Public Advocate processed over 10,700 compliance documents for over 2,500 children, young people and adults
• The Children and Young People Commissioner consulted with over 645 children and young people on issues including wellbeing and their experiences of racism.
• The human rights legal team provided 113 pieces of legal advice or submissions; human rights training for more than 200 people; and intervened in three Supreme Court cases.

“Our complaints handling services provide Canberrans with a comprehensive and accessible means of resolving their concerns. Eighty-five per cent of people surveyed about the Commission’s complaints process said it was a fair and accessible service.

“The Commission also continued working with thousands of Canberrans affected by crime, providing support, advocacy and financial assistance.

“Our Public Advocate and Children and Young People Commissioner continued to advocate for thousands of Canberrans who are potentially vulnerable to abuse and exploitation; listening to children and young people to ensure their voices are heard; and working to improve services for all children and young people.

“While the work of our human rights legal team is often unseen, their early engagement with the ACT Government helps to improve draft laws and policies, ensuring that laws and policies meet human rights standards and don’t unintentionally impinge on the rights of Canberrans,” Ms Yates said.

The annual report is available on the Commission’s website.