What happens to my story after a private session?

Are you thinking about asking for a private session with the Disability Royal Commission?

This factsheet is about what happens to your story after you share it in a private session.

Sharing your story in private

You can request a private session with a commissioner to share your story. This is the most private way to share your story.

Only the people who work at the Disability Royal Commission, and anyone you ask to come, will know you shared your story.

Keep your story private

If you share your story at a private session, the Disability Royal Commission will keep your story private and you have legal protections. If you repeat your story outside the private session on social media or in public, you may lose the legal protections.

In a private session, you can use the name of an organisation or a person. It is a crime for:

  • someone to injure you
  • someone to cause you disadvantage
  • your employer to take legal action against you because you told your story at a private session.

If you, or someone you know, has been hurt or disadvantaged because you had a private session, you can choose to report it. Your Story can discuss your options with you.

The Disability Royal Commission might ask if you want to share your story at a public hearing after you have a private session. You can decide if you want to share your story at a public hearing or if you want to keep it private. They might also want to include parts of what you share in their reports when they make recommendations for change. If parts of your story are used in the recommendations of the Disability Royal Commission or in reports, they will not include your personal details. Your details will remain private.

I have more questions

Call us on 1800 77 1800 for legal advice.

If you would like emotional support, call BlueKnot National Counselling and Referral Service on 1800 421 468. The service operates 9am to 6pm AEST Monday to Friday and 9am to 5pm AEST Saturday, Sunday and public holidays.

Your Story Disability Legal Support is free, independent and separate from the Disability Royal Commission. We will not pass your information to the Disability Royal Commission unless you agree. We won't tell anybody what you tell us, unless you want us to.

Disclaimer: This information is intended as a general guide. It should not be relied on as legal advice and we recommend you talk to a lawyer about your particular situation.

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Publication date: 17/11/2023
Publication type: factsheet
Language: English,