Aretha
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 get no supports. I get no privacy. I get no security. I get no safety. I get no human rights, basically.’
Aretha, early 40s, is autistic, has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, agoraphobia, borderline personality disorder and post-traumatic stress disorder.
‘I’m a forgotten Australian, a victim of crime, female, vulnerable, a victim of domestic violence.’
Aretha is also a First Nations woman but, because she was institutionalised as a child, has no proof of her Aboriginal identity.
‘[They] took me out of home and I was supposed to get all of this stuff in care. None of it was provided.’
In her preteens, a staff member in the institution she was living in sexually abused her. It was ‘swept under the rug’ until many years later. Police arrested and charged the perpetrator and he went to prison.
Aretha told the Royal Commission the department’s neglect has profoundly affected her life.
No-one cared about her education and she left school in year 8.
‘I’ve never worked. I’ve never had anything. I’ve never had anywhere and I’ve never had anyone, because I’ve just survived.’
For several years Aretha’s been living in community housing. She said it’s not a good area. Residents are predominantly male and use drugs.
A few years ago, a neighbour assaulted her. Police charged the neighbour and the court issued a restraining order.
Recently another neighbour made violent threats and Aretha has had to go to court.
Aretha said she feels exposed and unsafe.
‘I don’t even have a fence. I can’t even be in the backyard hanging clothes on the line without some stranger coming around the corner … I can’t have any windows open, no doors open.’
The department of housing have approved an urgent transfer but refuse to give Aretha a two-bedroom flat, which they know she needs.
‘I’ve got to go and have operations on my hands. So, I need somewhere for someone to stay, but there’s absolutely nowhere for anyone to stay.’
The options the department has provided are ‘disgusting’ and Aretha is stuck where she is.
‘I’ve filled in the transfers forms. I’ve done everything. I’ve done it three times, and they reckon I haven’t done anything. And I filled in serious incident reports and everything like that. They still haven’t done anything.’
Aretha wants someone to help her. She has NDIS funding but except for six hours support per week she ‘can’t spend [her] funding’ because she doesn’t have a support coordinator.
‘I’m supposed to be going swimming. I was supposed to be getting my meals. I was supposed to have all this other stuff done.’
Recently Aretha received compensation for what happened to her when she was a child.
‘I got [compensation] … but I’m still unsafe. I don’t even know how to talk to them. I don’t even know how to say it.’
Aretha believes the department of child protection should provide ‘after-care support’ because she was in their care and they are ‘responsible’ for what happened to her.
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.