Trauma is when something has happened to you that made you frightened or very upset.

Everyone has different things that make us frightened or very upset. 

People with intellectual disability can experience many situations or events that can cause them trauma.

For more information see the section for People who have had trauma.

Services and supports for people who have experienced trauma include the following.

• Call the Disability Abuse and Neglect Hotline if you want to tell someone about abuse, bullying or neglect you are experiencing. It is free to call them. You can call them on 1800 880 052.

• The Speak Up and Be Safe From Abuse resources can help you to tell someone that you experienced or are experiencing abuse. They have communication boards that can help you if you find it difficult to tell someone what has happened.

• The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disabilities was a group of people who:
  • listened to the stories of people with disability
  • told the government how to make things better. You can view what the Royal Commission found in their final report. There are Easy Read versions.