The concerns of the families and those that work at the home cannot be ignored, and that of protecting and ensuring the well being for all who lives at Dr Giraldi Home must be our main objective. Spokesman of The Gibraltar Local Disability Movement has today added on the offset of the Dr Giraldi Home issue.

The Gibraltar Local Disability Movement adds that sadly it seems when it comes down to protect them that need to be protected no one seems care a lot, but all are worried when it came to a TV program discerning the members of staff.

The TGWU on many occasions have called for a public inquiry to the allegations of Dr Giraldi Home,

27 November, 2007
There have recently been allegations aired publicly about the care practices in the Social Services Agency.
These are having a detrimental effect on the morale of the staff, service users and their families. In order to disperse any doubts about the practices in the Social Services Agency: The TGWU/ACTS on behalf of its Union members and service users demand a comprehensive and public enquiry on all matters surrounding the items which have been highlighted in the press, and which have caused concern to all interested parties.

4 October 2007
Present support workers at Dr Giraldi Home welcome an inquiry, "as they firmly believe in human rights," says a statement from the TGWU following the protest staged outside the Mackintosh hall as leaders arrived to take part in a televised election programme.

29 December 2008
TGWU/Unite has called for a public inquiry into the allegations about the treatment of persons with disabilities by staff members at the Doctor Giraldi Home. Speaking to the Chronicle District Officer Charlie Sisarello said the union “has stood by and continues to stand by the good name of staff members.”

The Disability Movement has always added that staff must be affected and demoralized but action should have occurred sooner as in the event of 27 November, 2007 press release. But looking forward to Monday 16th February demonstration by the staff, outside Dr. Giraldi Home the Disability Movement defends Doctor Giraldi Home staff stand and offers its full support.

Sequence of events have now seen the disability society expresse its concern over the recent Antena 3 programme The Disability Society says it is aware that the staff members who were the subject of several justified complaints which were made by service users, their families and other staff members are no longer in employment at the home. “If any past justified complaints which were made by service users, their families and other staff and are justified, what was the outcome and why were staff member or members removed from employment at the home” Spokesman of The Gibraltar Local Disability Movement adds.

The Society states that it has confidence in the existing staff that perform a demanding and at times difficult job in the unacceptable absence of a proper external and accountable audit system.

This is true The Gibraltar Local Disability Movement adds, “A systematic check or assessment, especially of the efficiency or effectiveness of Doctor Giraldi Home should have typically been carried out by an independent assessor as required by the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities”

Article 16
Freedom from exploitation, violence and abuse

1. States Parties shall take all appropriate legislative, administrative, social, educational and other measures to protect persons with disabilities, both within and outside the , from all forms of exploitation, violence and abuse, including their gender-based aspects.

2. States Parties shall also take all appropriate measures to prevent all forms of exploitation, violence and abuse by ensuring, inter alia, appropriate forms of gender- and age-sensitive assistance and support for persons with disabilities and their families and caregivers, including through the provision of information and education on how to avoid, recognize and report instances of exploitation, violence and abuse. States Parties shall ensure that protection services are age-, gender- and disability-sensitive.

3. In order to prevent the occurrence of all forms of exploitation, violence and abuse, States Parties shall ensure that all facilities and programmes designed to serve persons with disabilities are effectively monitored by independent authorities.

4. States Parties shall take all appropriate measures to promote the physical, cognitive and psychological recovery, rehabilitation and social reintegration of persons with disabilities who become victims of any form of exploitation, violence or abuse, including through the provision of protection services. Such recovery and reintegration shall take place in an environment that fosters the health, welfare, self-respect, dignity and autonomy of the person and takes into account gender- and age-specific needs.

5. States Parties shall put in place effective legislation and policies, including women- and child-focused legislation and policies, to ensure that instances of exploitation, violence and abuse against persons with disabilities are identified, investigated and, where appropriate, prosecuted.

The Gibraltar Local Disability Movement make note under UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Article 16, 3. States Parties shall ensure that all facilities and programmes designed to serve persons with disabilities are effectively monitored by independent authorities. This is not being done in Gibraltar.

And also, UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Article 16, 5, States Parties shall put in place effective legislation and policies, including women- and child-focused legislation and policies, to ensure that instances of exploitation, violence and abuse against persons with disabilities are identified, investigated and, where appropriate, prosecuted. This is not being done in Gibraltar.

It is clear under examination that disability legislation are not properly introduce or acted upon and theses appropriate measures are needed in the prevision of any event like Doctor Giraldi Home ever happening again.

The Gibraltar Local Disability Movement
"Our Success Is A function Of Determination And Ability"