A book about staying safe
House with No Steps made this book. House with No Steps is a disability service in Australia. We help people with disability live a great life. This book is about MEAN. MEAN is when someone treats you badly. MEAN stands for Mistreatment, Exploitation, Abuse and Neglect. MEAN is never okay. ME AN This book helps you understand your rights. 2 3
You can read this book on your own or with someone else. MISTREATMENT For example A friend Someone in your family Your Support worker. It will help you have a conversation about MEAN. LISTEN SPEAK equal There are pictures to help explain things. Mistreatment is when someone is cruel to you or treats you badly. 4 5
I m angry. I m going to hurt you. Is this okay? Okay 6 7
No. This is not okay. EXPLOITATION This is mistreatment. Tell someone you trust. For example Your family A Support Worker A friend. Ask them to help you. Exploitation is when someone takes advantage of you. 8 9
Hey Sam. Look your picture is in the paper. Is this okay? But nobody asked for my permission. Okay 10 11
No. This is not okay. This is exploitation. Tell someone you trust. For example Your family A Support Worker A friend. Ask them to help you. ABUSE Abuse is when someone hurts you. Abuse can be someone hitting you. Abuse can be someone saying hurtful things. Abuse can be someone making you feel sad and lonely. Abuse can be someone doing sexual things to you when you do not want them to. 12 13
Right now I m really angry at you and I m going to punch you in the face!! BAM! Is this okay? Why? Now I feel very scared and I don t know what to do. Okay 14 15
No. This is not okay. NEGLECT This is abuse. Tell someone you trust. For example: Your family A Support Worker A friend. Ask them to help you. Neglect is when someone does not give you the support or help you need. Neglect could be someone not listening to you or not giving you enough food. 16 17
Is this okay? Hey I need some help. Okay 18 19
No. This is not okay. Talk to someone if you think someone is being MEAN to you. This is neglect. Tell someone you trust. For example Your family A Support Worker A friend. Ask them to help you. You can use this book to help you talk about it. 20 21
Name of someone you want to talk to. Photo of someone you want to talk to. There are services in Australia that can help you. The Police Ring 000 if it is an emergency National Disability Abuse and Neglect Hotline Phone 1800 880 052 National Sexual Assault, Domestic Family Violence Counselling Service Phone 1800 737 732 www.1800respect.org.au People with Disability Australia Phone 1800 422 015 www.pwd.org.au 22 23
There are some steps we will always follow if someone is mean to you and you are a House with No Steps customer. 1 Make sure you and everyone around you are safe. 2 Call 000 in an emergency. 3 Make sure you see a doctor if you need to. 4 Tell the manager. Remember It is your right to be safe. You have the right to be safe everywhere. This means your home, in the community, at any service you use and at work. MEAN is never okay. Tell someone. 5 Ask who you would like to contact for support. 6 Make sure everything is written down in a safe place. 7 Investigate to find out exactly what happened. 8 Make a plan so it does not happen again to you. 24 25
Notes: Notes: 26 27
Get in touch To find out more or organise a time to meet with us: 1300 LETS GO (1300 538 746) enquiries@hwns.com.au join us at: www.hwns.com.au