Amelie
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.
Amelie, an employee of a government-run hostel during the 1980s, says she witnessed systemic abuse of young people and children with intellectual disability.
Amelie is a First Nations woman in her mid-50s. She told the Royal Commission that over a 10-year period she lodged three official complaints relating to sexual abuse, violence and neglect.
In one incident, a co-worker ridiculed a resident with the words ‘How are you, you fat ugly cow.’ He then turned to everyone in the room and said, ‘It’s okay I can say that. It’s not verbal abuse because she’s deaf and can’t hear me.’
Amelie says it was a dysfunctional work environment. Staff yelled at residents who were ‘constantly being pulled and pushed around the house’.
She says other staff also witnessed residents being abused, but feared losing their jobs if they reported it. ‘They are good people that want change but are unwilling to make themselves or their families vulnerable.’
‘While reporting abuse required more courage than even I felt I had – the pain for me of not reporting was greater than the pain of reporting.’
The residential facility has long since been closed down.
During her time working at another facility in the 1990s, Amelie became concerned about the nature of a co-worker’s conduct with a number of residents. She is unable to discuss the details because of the confidential nature of the incident. ‘When people are being abused it is often with attached blaming and shaming so very difficult to talk about.’
Amelie continues to have fears for the sector.
‘I am deeply concerned about services to children with a disability [being] vulnerable to internal exploitation by abusers that have not been able to be legally dismissed or properly vetted.’
She says ‘sadists and sexual predators will continue to occupy these working roles’ until systemic and social failings are addressed.
In the meantime, Amelie says, publicly calling out abuse, inequality and neglect for what it is helps everyone.
Amelie would one day like to publish a book about her experiences.
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.