The arguments against camera and closed-circuit television surveillance in the homes of people with disabilities to protect from abuse and neglect

ABSTRACT

This study presents an analysis of the arguments against camera and closed-circuit television surveillance in the homes of people with disabilities to protect against abuse and neglect. Three approaches were undertaken to evaluate the evidence and arguments for camera surveillance: an integrative review of the literature, an ethical analysis, and application of a theory for technology adoption in practice. The review and analysis found no evidence that camera surveillance reliably protects people with disabilities from abuse and neglect in their homes and camera use may in fact indicate possible abuse. Such technology would additionally face significant practical and ethical barriers to successful implementation.

KEYWORDS:

• Cameras
• surveillance
• closed-circuit television
• CCTV
• residential
• abuse
• neglect
• disabilities

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes

1. In this article, home refers to where a person with a disability resides and residential service refers to an organisation that operates a home for people with disabilities.