Ryan & Brielle
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.
Ryan is a young boy at primary school. He is autistic and has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. His mother Brielle does ‘everything’ for him as an unpaid carer.
Recently, Ryan was diagnosed with extreme anxiety. Brielle told the Royal Commission it is directly linked to several acts of physical violence at school by staff.
Brielle complained to the school and reported the assaults to the police, ombudsman and the department of education. But her complaints were ignored.
‘No-one took responsibility of actions. No justice or apology … We have photos of marks and bruises of my son when incidents happened. This has greatly impacted my son, and our lives.’
Nothing has been done to address or prevent any further incidents of abuse or violence towards children with disability at the school, and Brielle says the lack of action is unacceptable.
Brielle is unaware of what else she could do to report the abuse, or prevent the violence from happening again. Concerned that Ryan is at risk of further violence and abuse, she removed him from the school.
Brielle thinks school staff should be properly trained on how to deal with children with disability.
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.