Upholding the rights of people with disability when involved with Victoria Police and the Justice System

At the October Forum, we heard from representatives of Victoria Police, Office of the Public Advocate and Department of Justice and Community Safety. Presenters outlined activities and programs that are committed to upholding the rights of people with disability when involved with Victoria Police and the Justice System.

Part One
We were joined by Rochelle Tootell (she/her) who is the Acting Disability Portfolio Manager with Victoria Police. Rochelle with representatives from Victoria Police presented on:

• The Pillars of the Victoria Police Accessibility Action Plan 2021-2023 and the direction of the new upcoming Plan 
• Victoria Police and Disability Community Safety
• The role of the Disability Liaison Officers

Rochelle is proudly neurodiverse and has 20 years’ experience working with people with Disability. Rochelle has previously worked as a Forensic Behaviour Support Practitioner, supporting people with complex needs as they exited custodial sentences in addition to working at the Victorian Office of the Public Advocate, leading the Independent Third Person Program for many years. In her current role Rochelle is responsible for driving Victoria Police’s organisational wide understanding of disability and ensuring accessible policing services for the disability community.

Part Two
We were joined by Matthew Rasmussen who is the Acting Manager Safeguarding Inclusion and Volunteer Programs from the Office of the Public Advocate. Matthew presented on the Independent Third Persons Program and has worked at the Office of the Public Advocate for the past 20 years in various roles. This has primarily been as an Advocate Guardian until joining the Independent Third Persons/Corrections Independent Support Officer Program last year. He has a background of over 30 years working with people with disability both here in Australia and in the United States. He is excited by the continual evolution of the sector and welcomes the increased input of lived experience in shaping the supports and services provided.

Part Three
We were joined by Dietlind Schutte (she/her) who is an Intermediary with the Department of Justice and Community Safety to present on the Intermediary Program. Dietlind is an Occupational Therapist by training with work experience both in Australia and overseas working with children (upper primary), adolescents, adults, and the elderly in the community health sector. Dietlind undertook specialist training to become an Intermediary in 2018 and have since worked as an intermediary both in VARE’s (Visual and Audio Recording of Evidence) and Court matters. In 2021 she joined the Department of Justice Intermediary team. Her focus as an Intermediary is on understanding trauma/complex trauma and how it can impact communication and a person’s access to/experience of the justice system; engaging and meeting the varied needs of vulnerable people (including the people from diverse backgrounds with English as a second language, people with complex mental health conditions) and how the court environment can impede people’s functional communication in the justice system.

Part Four – Facilitated Panel Discussion
A Facilitated Panel Discussion followed where presenters responded to questions from participants. The Panel Discussion aimed to highlight how we can work collaboratively and best support people with disability, who are experiencing or using family violence, and who are seeking or responding to involvement with Victoria Police or the Justice System.