Brie
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.
Brie, late 60s, has post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, a hearing impairment and physical disability.
In her early 20s, Brie was raped in her workplace.
She told the Royal Commission that other women she worked with were also sexually abused.
Brie made a complaint to her employer and asked them to provide psychological support. Her employer dismissed her complaint.
Brie reported the rape to police many years later, but no-one was criminally charged.
Brie continued to work for the employer and her mental health deteriorated.
Her employer eventually acknowledged she did have a psychological injury and paid her compensation.
Brie said that a short time later her employer reassessed her injury. They determined she had a ‘pre-existing psychotic impairment’ and forced her to repay the compensation money.
‘They've been so abusive to me for so many years … and I've got to pay them back $900 a month for the rest of my life.’
Brie has attempted to challenge the ruling a number of times but says she has been unsuccessful because she can’t access affordable legal support.
‘This is why people commit suicide,’ Brie said, ‘And I thought, "You know what, I'm going to live to 100 just to annoy them and I'm not going to commit suicide."’
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.