Amaris
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.
‘Instead of locking people up in institutions there should be a social and emotional healing centre for people to go to, for families or individuals, 10 acres each, hobby farm, horticulture, parenting classes, not being treated like animals.’
Amaris is a First Nations woman in her 50s currently subject to a compulsory treatment order for a psychosocial disability.
‘I do not identify as having a disability,’ Amaris told the Royal Commission. ‘I was treated like a criminal when I wasn't one. There was racial discrimination, sexual discrimination as a woman who has no voice, [I] was tagged and discriminated against.’
Amaris worked as a public servant in education and training for many years, but took a redundancy after a back injury more than 20 years ago.
‘I wanted to spend more time with the kids.’
After child protection officers took her children into care, Amaris ‘had a breakdown and went to hospital’.
Amaris said doctors and police had her involuntarily admitted to a number of hospitals where she was restrained and overmedicated.
Once, after police arrested her, she said they ‘pulled [her] pants down and proceeded to jab [her] with needles’.
‘They overdosed me two years ago in [hospital] and I can't recall anything else. There was a nurse, a security guard that sat with me for over 24 hours, because I was overdosed and nearly died.’
Between hospital admissions, Amaris was homeless, ‘but back and forth mainly to [her] daughter’s where [she] was abused, physically, mentally and financially’.
Amaris now lives in government housing and is hoping to overturn the compulsory treatment order.
‘I'm an elder in this country now … but I don't feel it. I don't feel it.’
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.