Roberto and Venus
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.
A few years ago Roberto was in a public place when he was stopped by police. Officers asked if they could search him and he agreed.
Venus, Roberto’s partner, told the Royal Commission that halfway through the search Roberto panicked. She said his response was typical of someone with mental health disabilities. Roberto has epilepsy, bipolar disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and depression.
He automatically went into ‘flight mode’, running a short distance before the officers apprehended him.
‘The police officers tackled him to the ground. Whilst face down they placed handcuffs on him and then proceeded to knee him in his back multiple times,’ Venus said.
The officers took Roberto to the police station. They dragged him from the car and assaulted him.
During the assault Roberto had an epileptic seizure.
Police provided no medical attention or pain medication. They eventually interviewed Roberto. He was denied bail and remanded into custody.
Sometime later Roberto was found unresponsive in his cell.
Police rushed him to hospital where doctors confirmed he had multiple fractured ribs and had had an epileptic seizure. He remained in hospital for several days.
Roberto could have died, Venus told us.
‘When a person’s name is screened by officers they should be alerted or the person flagged for any type of disability … Police need to be better equipped and well informed of disabilities of all types and how to respond and approach someone who identifies with a disability.’
Venus says she hopes ‘our nation as a whole becomes more aware, more understanding and sensitive to people who face different challenges in their day-to-day lives’.
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.