Khalid
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.
‘Representatives from legal services do not take my story seriously … People with disabilities need to be taken seriously … This system which is supposed to support people with disabilities has failed to support me.’
Khalid is from East Africa. He is in his late 50s and is an amputee. He has two young daughters. He told the Royal Commission that as a person with disability, he has been frustrated by his experiences with the family law and justice systems.
Khalid has ongoing legal issues with his ex-wife over access to his young daughters. His ex-wife restricts the amount and type of access he has to them, in contravention of a court order.
Khalid believes his ex-wife exploits his disability to limit his access to the two girls.
‘Despite my ex-wife clearly behaving outside the obligations of the court order … when I apply for legal aid I am treated unfairly and my account is not taken seriously … Rather than supporting me, they are sceptical of my account and appear to investigate me rather than investigate the wrongdoings of my ex-wife.’
Khalid is also concerned that his wife is using his disability to make his daughters fearful of him. ‘She told them that I accuse her of cutting off my legs and arm … She has also made up stories about me using drugs, alcohol and having paranoid schizophrenia.’
Because English is his second language, Khalid says communication barriers have been a ‘significant impediment’ in getting legal support. Sometimes support workers have tried to help him make his case, but the legal aid services have refused to support him, claiming ‘limited legal funds’ as the excuse.
All of this has caused Khalid to be ‘anxious, depressed and sometimes suicidal’.
‘I need someone who can understand my disability, anxiety and depression, and who can help me to get effective help.’
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.