DPA on Salisbury School

Disabled girls requiring specialised education will remain safe from abuse following yesterday’s court ruling that Education Minister Hekia Parata was acting illegally in proposing closing Salisbury School according to DPA NZ.

DPA NZ Chief Executive Rachel Noble says Tuesday’s reserved ruling by Justice Robert Dobson has highlighted the vulnerability of the girls attending the residential school.

“There is lots of evidence out there stating these girls would be at greater risk of being sexually and physically abused due to their complex needs.”

Ms Noble also says that the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Disabled Persons, which the New Zealand government has signed, backs up Justice Dobson’s decision.

“Articles 6 and 7 of the Convention highlight that disabled woman and girls are subject to multiple discrimination. And that signatories which NZ is one of must ensure that they take measures to ensure the full and equal enjoyment by them of all human rights and fundamental freedoms.”

Ms Noble says Justice Dobson’s decision is a fundamental victory for the disability community in New Zealand.

“Article 16 of the UNCRPD stipulates that member countries must ensure all appropriate legislative, administrative, social, educational and other measures are in place to protect persons with disabilities, both within and outside the home, from all forms of exploitation, violence and abuse, including their gender-based aspects.”

Ms Noble says she hopes the Minister will not appeal the decision and let Salisbury School continue to educate a vulnerable group in a safe environment for a life beyond school.

END.
DPA is a NZ Disabled Persons Organisation with links to Disabled
Peoples’ International and Rehabilitation International. Our role is
to promote the collective voice of the disabled using the NZ
Disability Strategy, and to champion the UN Convention on the Rights
of Persons with Disabilities in New Zealand.

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