Are you choosing to tell your story to the Disability Royal Commission?
Do you want to use the name of an organisation or a person when you tell your story?
Read this factsheet to understand the law and your options.
Using names when you tell your story to the Disability Royal Commission
It is your choice if you want to use the name of an organisation or a person at the Disability Royal Commission. But there are risks.
What are the risks?
It is possible, but very rare, for a person to be taken to court for using names in the story they give to the Disability Royal Commission. This is called defamation. If you are taken to court, it can be time consuming and expensive.
What can I do?
To protect yourself against the risk of a court case, it is best not to use the name of an organisation or a person in your story.
If you are writing your story, you can use a random letter, like "X" instead of the name of the organisation or person. For example: I was working at X when it happened.
What if I want to use the name?
It is important that you follow these steps if you want to use the name of an organisation or a person.
Step 1
- Make sure your story is truthful.
Step 2
- Do not tell your story with the goal of hurting the reputation of the organisation or person. This is called a malicious complaint.
Step 3
- Do not repeat what you say at the Disability Royal Commission to friends and family.
- Do not post your story, or any names, on social media.
You could also think about making a confidential submission.
If you want to make a confidential submission you can call the Disability Royal Commission Legal Service for help on 1800 771 800. We can give you specific advice.
What if I was directed to use the name?
If the Disability Royal Commission thinks it needs to know the specific name, it can ask you to use the name.
If the Disability Royal Commission tells you to use the name of an organisation or person you should call the Disability Royal Commission Legal Service for help on 1800 771 800. We can give you specific advice.
I have more questions
Call us on 1800 771 800 for legal advice.
The Disability Royal Commission Legal Service is free, independent and separate from the Disability Royal Commission. We will not pass your information to the Disability Royal Commission unless you agree.