Ibrahim
Content Warning: These stories are about violence, abuse, neglect and exploitation and may include references to suicide or self-harming behaviours. They may contain graphic descriptions and strong language and may be distressing. Some narratives may be about First Nations people who have passed away. If you need support, please see Contact & support.
Ibrahim has cerebral palsy and dyspraxia which affects his vision, speech and his ability to control his body and its movements.
When he was a child he was sexually abused and as a result has post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
After Ibrahim left high school, in the mid 90s, he moved to a community residential unit (CRU) hundreds of kilometres from his parents’ home.
He was given no support at the CRU to use his communication devices, so he was unable to communicate with staff.
‘I was totally alone,’ he told the Royal Commission.
The residents had serious behavioural issues and Ibrahim was bitten repeatedly. Residents also pulled out clumps of his hair, threw things at him and deliberately pushed him into tables and chairs.
‘This was utterly scary because I am legally blind and I couldn’t see where they were pushing me. It is terrifying to be pushed when you have a visual impairment.’
Ibrahim told us staff were ‘really scared’ of one resident and when he was violent they removed themselves for their own safety.
‘But they left me in the room and my dyspraxia meant I couldn’t move away. They allowed me to be hurt.’
When Ibrahim’s parents and other parents complained, the resident was moved but the abuse from other residents continued.
Being subjected to violence every day, Ibrahim says his ‘life was lost’ at that house. ‘I really wanted to end my life. I couldn’t because of my dyspraxia. All I could do was make myself numb.’
His mother took him to a counsellor but at the time it didn’t help. ‘I couldn’t think about what I needed to think about because I was too scared all the time. I was screwed. And I couldn’t die. I hate that the caregivers didn’t protect me.’
Finally with the help of a community visitor Ibrahim moved to a different CRU with calmer residents. His life was ‘boring but safe’ and he started to feel more hopeful.
But his hope was dashed when the house manager sexually assaulted him.
Ibrahim reported the man to police. A detective and Ibrahim’s communication advocate initiated a protocol to support him to make a statement, and a specialist speech therapist helped him access his keyboard.
The assault was investigated and a case prepared but it didn’t go to court because of Ibrahim’s PTSD.
Ibrahim felt the process was supportive, but he never felt hopeful the perpetrator would be held accountable.
Ibrahim only recently told his psychologist about the violence and neglect he experienced in the CRUs and is getting help with his PTSD. He said that life is better now he is no longer in a CRU.
‘Lonely and disabled adults were living watching fellow residents being injured. That is no kind of life.’
Ibrahim says he is ‘the lucky one’ because he could communicate and was able to move. ‘The others are stuck for their whole lives.’
Disclaimer: This is the story of a person who shared their personal experience with the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability through a submission or private session. The names in this story are pseudonyms. The person who shared this experience was not a witness and their account is not evidence. They did not take an oath or affirmation before providing the story. Nothing in this story constitutes a finding of the Royal Commission. Any views expressed are those of the person who shared their experience, not of the Royal Commission.