Kathy and Bob
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.
Bob’s daughter Kathy is in her 30s. She has a learning disability and mental illness. Kathy shares supported accommodation with two women and a man.
Bob says Kathy lives in daily fear of the man, who is verbally and physically violent.
‘[Kathy] is subject to this male screaming, swearing, and smashing thing in his room,’ Bob told the Royal Commission.
Bob said police and ambulance staff have sedated the man and removed him from the house several times when he has become violent. The housing authority responsible has not responded to his requests to move him permanently.
‘Still to this date he remains in the house.’
Bob said the government and police had also failed to help. He said there was a shortage of housing and a lack of appropriately trained staff to help people with disability.
‘My wife and me will not live forever and we cannot rely on any of these services to ensure [Kathy’s] quality of life. [Kathy] has a sibling who will have to spend her life overseeing [Kathy’s] life as the system is broke and cannot be trusted.’
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.