Makayla
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.
Makayla was ‘born to a drug and alcohol addicted mother’ and was ‘drug affected’ as a baby. She has epilepsy, physical disability and post-traumatic stress disorder.
Makayla told the Royal Commission about her childhood in foster care and in group homes. At the age of eight she was placed with foster parents who had their own children and four other foster children. This is when the violence and abuse started.
‘The first time I opened my mouth … they threw a plate at my head. This was the beginning of an ongoing pattern of throwing things at me, pulling my hair, hitting me and kicking me … To protect myself I took the chuck out of the door latch on my room so I could see if they were coming into my room and stop the door from opening.’
When she was 12, Makayla’s foster mother locked her in the shower and turned the hot water on. Makayla broke the shower trying to escape the scalding water.
In another incident Makayla’s thumb was broken when her foster mum tried to kick her.
Makayla reported the abuse but no-one would listen.
‘I tried to complain to social services and the police about what was happening to me. I also tried telling my mother but she didn’t want to hear it. All I was told was, “You shouldn’t tell lies”.’
Makayla remained with this foster family until she was 15.
‘At that time I remember going to bed then waking up in the hallway with a knife in my hand. It freaked me out and I put the knife back in the kitchen then went back to my room, too afraid to go back to sleep … The next day I told the teacher’s assistant at school what had been happening to me and begged not to go home.’
Soon after, Makayla and some of the other foster children were taken to the police station by an advocate to make a complaint about their treatment in the foster home.
The foster family was suspended from providing foster care, but Makayla found out that the foster mother who burned her went on to become a grief counsellor for child abuse victims in a charitable organisation.
‘If there had been any follow-up to my situation she would never have got that job,’ Makayla said.
Makayla would like to see an independent body that can advocate for children.
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.