Olga and Taylor
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.
Olga has been living in a group home for more than five years. Her sister, Taylor, told the Royal Commission that Olga used to be known for her ‘obvious joy for living’. But since living in the group home her wellbeing has been in steep decline.
Taylor told us Olga is subjected to repeated physical violence from two other members of the home. She has been pushed and choked resulting in ‘severe large black bruising to numerous parts of her body and a cracked skull even with her protective helmet on’.
‘My sister does have an understanding that what is happening to her is wrong’ but because she’s ‘largely non-verbal and very slow in her movement’, Taylor says, Olga does not have the capacity to defend herself.
The family have repeatedly complained to the group home but the only action the home takes is to lock Olga and the other non-violent residents in a safe room ‘when the violent person acts out’.
Taylor said her mother has also complained to the police several times who told her ‘they feel powerless and concerned [Olga] is in this situation but are unable to assist’.
She believes if this was happening to any other group in our society this response would be unacceptable.
The family has also complained to the appropriate government department and minister, their local members of parliament and a disability service.
Taylor can’t understand why Olga’s rights are so fundamentally different to hers. She said she ‘can’t think of a situation where a person without a disability is expected to tolerate violence … especially in their own home’. Similarly it’s impossible to imagine people without disabilities locked in rooms for their own protection while ‘violent people did what they want in their homes’.
Doctors and staff make reports about incidents but this seems pointless to Taylor because nothing is done. No process, legal or otherwise, is implemented. The reports are also not comprehensive because bruising can take a few days to appear and due to staff rosters, the bruises are not noted as part of the initial report.
Taylor is baffled as to why there is no solution or process that can assist Olga.
‘WE, Australian Society need to DO SOMETHING about this situation for the most VULNERABLE people in our society. Our Children would not be subjected to or left in this situation, and with aging carer parents more and more persons with disability will be living in group homes and it is unacceptable that we are not problem-solving this situation URGENTLY.’
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.