Zander and Annabeth
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.
Zander, mid-50s, has an intellectual disability. Annabeth is his sister and guardian.
At 18, Zander moved into a group home. Ten years later, Sunny moved into the home.
Sunny’s behaviours were volatile and he would regularly assault Zander and the other resident.
Zander’s family asked the disability service provider to remove Sunny, but they refused. Over the years the violence increased.
Zander tried to hide from Sunny, retreating to his room. Staff were also scared of him and unable to address his behaviours. Zander’s father tried to work with Sunny’s parents to find a solution for both men, but they refused to engage.
All Zander’s father could do was install a lock on Zander’s door so he could lock himself in his room.
About five years ago, the violence peaked and Annabeth applied for a personal protection order on behalf of Zander.
‘Usually when you apply for a personal protection order you get a hearing or … immediately an interim is granted and then you [have] a full hearing,’ Annabeth said. ‘You get a decision fairly quickly, particularly when there’s physical violence allegations.’
After two hearings, the magistrate arranged for an advocacy group to interview both parties and prepare a report for the court. This process added months of delays and didn’t appear to be of benefit to either man.
During the process, Sunny continued to assault Zander. The disability service provider suggested staff make sure he was locked in his room. Zander’s father ended up sleeping on Zander’s bedroom floor to keep him safe.
After more than 12 months, the magistrate found there had been personal violence, but did not grant a personal protection order.
One evening, the resident assaulted Annabeth, Zander and a staff member. Annabeth rang police and Sunny’s parents immediately removed him from the house.
‘I had to walk that fine line of putting [Zander]’s best foot forward as his guardian, not wanting the other man to be subject to potential criminal possibilities. There’re far too many people with disabilities in the criminal justice system. We didn’t want another one.’
A year ago, someone assaulted Zander at the supermarket.
Support workers thought it was someone from Zander’s day program but weren’t sure.
‘Carers and the support staff and the family were very afraid that [Zander] would be assaulted again.’
Annabeth asked the supermarket if she could view the CCTV footage so she could identify the assailant. She explained that if it was someone Zander knew, support staff would be able to keep them apart and keep Zander safe.
The supermarket refused.
Zander made a statement to police but was still not able to access the CCTV footage. Police had identified the person but wouldn’t give Annabeth or Zander his name.
After lodging a freedom of information request, police released a pixilated version of the footage.
Annabeth applied for a personal protection order. During mediation she met the assailant’s mother.
Annabeth was able to come to an agreement with the mother to keep Zander safe, without having to involve police or courts.
‘My strong view,’ Annabeth told the Royal Commission, ‘is that the institutions across society … not the people, but the processes and practices adopted in those institutions, do actually perpetrate and encourage abuse and neglect.’
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.