A woman with an intellectual disability is now "fearful of everything" after spending time in a group home where she was repeatedly punished for transgressions as minor as not tying her shoelaces, her mother has told the disability royal commission.

Key points: The royal commission is looking at whether group homes increase the risk of violence, abuse or neglect

The royal commission is looking at whether group homes increase the risk of violence, abuse or neglect A criminologist told the commission chemical and physical restraints were regularly used in group homes

A criminologist told the commission chemical and physical restraints were regularly used in group homes Group home service providers will take the stand later this week

The woman's mother, known as Witness AAG, told the inquiry she lodged a Freedom of Information request to find out why her daughter was so afraid and unhappy in her group home.

AAG was not prepared for what she received: a 300-page document from the home's provider, which included a "punishment chart" and notes listing her daughter's supposed transgressions.

"I couldn't believe what my daughter had been subjected to," AAG told the commission.

"She was punished for her self harm. She was punished over her incontinence. She was punished if she swore at somebody."

Her daughter was also punished for not tying her shoelaces, even though her disability meant she did not have the motor skills to do so.

The punishments included being separated from other residents and being forced to eat meals alone.

AAG is one of several witnesses who have given evidence to the royal commission this week as it looks at the issue of housing and whether group homes increase the risk of violence, abuse or neglect.

The inquiry also heard from several academics, researchers and advocates.

Residents expected to be compliant and not complain

Monash University criminologist Claire Spivakovsky told the commission restrictive practices, including chemical and physical restraints, were prevalent in many of these homes.

"When we give someone medication forcefully against their will, we strap them down and we hold them down … that is violence and abuse," she told the inquiry.

Dr Spivakovsky said some restrictive practices were used as punishment.

"I think it's a very slippery slope, " she said.

"I think most places would say that they will not seclude residents, but I'm not sure what you call it when someone is locked in their room against their will. And I'm not sure what you call it when someone says they want to go outside and they are not allowed to."

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Disability and Community Inclusion professor Sally Robinson told the inquiry residents in group homes were being treated in ways that would not be acceptable for other people.

"Residents are expected to be compliant, they're expected to not know very much about their right to complain … They're expected to endure it," she told the commission.

"And that's a certain dehumanisation of people."

Eventually AAG's daughter was moved to another group home after her mother complained to the Human Rights Commission, the health department and the local MP.

But AAG said the experience damaged her daughter permanently.

"My daughter is fearful of everything. She's had so much abuse," she said.

"She keeps saying, 'I'm sorry, it's not my fault. I'm not in trouble. I've been good so far', for something simple like she might spill some water."

AAG said she hoped the royal commission would help her daughter get a sense of justice.

"She didn't ask to be born with the problems she's got," she told the inquiry.

"But as a result of what she's been through in this system, she is a very damaged person."

Several group home service providers are expected to take the stand later this week, as the disability royal commission continues its focus on housing.

The inquiry will also examine potential alternative models to group homes.