Seclusion and Restraint: Rethinking Regulation from a Human Rights Perspective

This article examines a number of options for regulating seclusion and restraint in Australia in light of international human rights standards and comparative international approaches. While seclusion and restraint can sometimes be beneficial for the protection of individuals, these practices can also cause serious psychological and physical harm. It is therefore necessary to reconcile any need for the use of seclusion and restraint with the risks associated with their practice. This article proposes that regulation should occur via a combination of detailed legislation and codes of practice.