Henry and Pamela
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.
Henry and Pamela are First Nations people who both use wheelchairs. They have cared for each other for most of their married life. Henry wrote to the Royal Commission about some of the injustices Pamela has been subjected to – past and ongoing.
Years ago, Henry said, Pamela was living in accommodation where she was sexually assaulted. The man was found guilty of numerous sexual assaults and Pamela showed symptoms consistent with having experienced sexual assault and trauma. Yet when she made accusations against the man, they were dismissed. Pamela still has distressing flashbacks.
Recently Pamela’s birth mother lost a guardianship application over Pamela and guardianship now rests with a state organisation. Henry believes this reflects badly on the justice system and disability advocates.
‘[Pamela] is now being prevented from residing … with her pets … personal possessions and loving Husband,’ Henry writes.
Henry believes the bureaucracy would like to annul his marriage to Pamela, and is restricting his access to his wife. Pamela has been told she is to ring Henry only on every second day and Henry claims her guardian dictates where she is allowed to go on outings with him.
‘The … Public Service is only interested in cementing itself needlessly into the lives of those whose protest it ignores in order to self‐justify its presence and continued interference.’
Henry would like to see the disability sector streamlined, with a single client and services advocacy body established and run by people with disabilities and carers.
‘It is possible to name 200 Advocacy Sources in the wider‐community, each costing the expense of administration and maintenance. Why is there not One Service with the mandate and community support to ensure social and legal justice are freely available?’
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.