People with disabilities continue to be discriminated against, which is why further action is needed to improve their knowledge about what rights they enjoy in society or in more specific environments like residential establishments. Increased attention should be paid to women with disabilities, as they are at a greater risk to face abuse, ill-treatment or exploitation by fellow male patients, staff of residential institutions, or members of the public at large. These are some of the findings of a study following a pilot project that monitored the rights of people with mental disabilities in residential psycho-neurological institutions.
The study presented today at a press conference concluded that the telephone line made available within the project has become a partner of people with disabilities. The appearance of the helpline encouraged them to come forward and complain about multiple cases of violations of their rights. During two years, more than three thousand calls were received, and 15 cases of serious violations were brought before the court. At present, it is necessary to create conditions for people in residential institutions to have access to phones in a way that can ensure that each call remains confidential.
The organization Keystone Moldova piloted the project during two years in Edinet, Dubasari, Hancesti, Orhei, Soroca, and Balti municipality. It delivered know-your-rights and other relevant information courses to people with disabilities in six residential institutions, as well as to staff, care providers, local authorities and community members. The organization’s executive director Ludmila Malcoci says the project has played an important role in promoting intellectual and psychosocial de-institutionalization.
Ministry of Health state secretary Viorica Dumbrăveanu said that the helpline will be taken over by the authorities to ensure its sustainability, because the complexity of the problems that people with disabilities are facing is great.
The project “Promoting and Monitoring the Rights of Persons with Mental Disabilities in Residential Institutions with a Psycho-Neurological Profile” was funded by the EU, which allocated over 368,000 euros.