Rayne and Milani
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.
‘I do have serious concerns about this patient’s welfare, safety and her health.’
Shortly after Milani started working in the acquired brain injury unit she witnessed two male staff members ‘slap, hit and punch’ one of the patients, Rayne. Milani told the Royal Commission the staff were abusing Rayne because she didn’t want to eat her dinner.
Rayne has an acquired brain injury and has difficulty eating and swallowing, is non-verbal and has a physical disability.
Milani told Rayne’s husband about the abuse but he didn’t seem concerned.
She described Rayne’s husband as ‘an evil man’ who she’s scared to be left alone in the room with when she’s treating Rayne. And he left Rayne ‘neglected when he visited her’.
The second time Milani witnessed the abuse she reported it to the unit nursing manager. She told Milani she would deal with it but nothing happened.
Milani witnessed the abuse a third time and wondered if Rayne’s husband was exacting ‘some kind of revenge’ by allowing staff to ‘hit his wife and mistreat her’.
As soon as the staff members left Rayne’s room, Milani went to check on her and photographed the ‘swelling and damage to her head’.
Now Milani has evidence, she will report the abuse to police.
‘Someone needs to save and help this poor woman from ongoing abuse.’
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.