Skye and Conor
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.
Skye has Down syndrome and lives with her mother. Her mother, in her 70s, is her primary carer. On weekdays Skye goes to a local care facility.
About 10 years ago, police charged one of Skye’s support workers with sexual abuse over an incident at another facility. Her brother, Conor, said Skye’s facility informed her family only after it was reported in the media.
‘It devastated my family and in particular my mother,’ Conor told the Royal Commission.
Conor’s family noticed changes in Skye’s behaviour, but the facility said it had received no complaints of abuse.
‘We were not comfortable, nor satisfied with this response knowing that many of the individuals being cared for, including my sister, could not communicate about it if they were assaulted.’
Skye’s mother went to the facility’s CEO for more information.
‘He abruptly dismissed her concerns and was not interested in providing any details,’ said Conor. ‘To this day, my mother recalls, “He was rude and showed no care. … He didn't even offer me a seat”.’
Then Conor approached the CEO.
‘I asked him if the care facility had any records of when this alleged carer worked with my sister. He responded with, “What do you expect from us, cameras everywhere?” I was appalled by his response.’
Conor requested that, in future, a female support worker help Skye when she showered, dressed or went to the toilet.
‘The CEO responded by saying, “That's not going to happen. When people go to nursing homes, they don't have a choice”. I responded by saying, “My sister isn't in a nursing home and she deserves to be treated with dignity by a same-gender carer”.’
Conor’s mother was worried. She has relied on care facilities over the years and ‘knew that raising any issues like this would be at the detriment of my sister’. She felt ‘intimidated and belittled’.
‘My mother is unwell and yet we can't get care for my sister. Whether it is COVID-19 or not enough funding, we can't get support. The NDIS is so difficult for carers. How on earth is my mother supposed to navigate the NDIS?’
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.