I have a disability and I was abused in the past. What can I do about it now?

Many persons with disabilities have experienced abuse. Abuse can be physical, sexual, emotional, or financial. Neglect can also be abuse.

If any of these happen to you, it isn’t your fault. No one has the right to hurt or abuse you.

For example, sometimes a person with disabilities is abused when living or getting services in an institution, a facility, or a group home. Later, when they’re safe, the person may want to make a claim for compensation for the abuse.

If you were abused, you may be able to:

• make a claim to the Victim Quick Response Program+
• sue your abuser in court

You might need to choose which kind of claim to make. You might not be able to make all of them. And there may be deadlines to make these claims.

You can call ARCH Disability Law Centre for legal advice. ARCH’s services are free to people with disabilities. Usually, ARCH helps people with low income or who get social assistance.