Alison
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.
‘I feel I can be easily taken advantage of when I’m unwell’, said Alison, who has a schizoaffective disorder.
Alison became a patient in a psychiatric hospital in the late 90s. She told the Royal Commission that over a five-month period, a male nurse had sex with her four times.
Alison feels vulnerable and is concerned for herself and others with mental illness interacting with psychiatric services, hospitals and counsellors.
‘Sex with a mentally ill person in a psychiatric hospital is abuse as the person involved cannot give informed consent.’
Alison would like to see higher penalties for abusers and more support for the person with mental illness, ‘so they feel they will be believed when reporting sexual abuse by nursing staff’.
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.