Aya
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‘In my entire experiences and interactions with the police, I’ve never had an interpreter once … I’ve actually got to the point where I’ve lost all trust in the police force.’
Aya, early 40s, is Deaf and works as a support coordinator for people with disability. She’s been using Auslan since she was young. Aya told the Royal Commission she has complex post-traumatic stress disorder. She explained it’s a ‘layer of repeated trauma’ that makes her react in a ‘very volatile way or an immediate way’.
Aya’s partner is also Deaf.
About a year ago Aya called police during a domestic dispute with her partner. ‘I called the police to help calm my partner.’ When they arrived, they tried to interview Aya without an Auslan interpreter. They also turned on their body cameras without asking her permission. Then without explanation, they arrested her partner and took him away.
The next day, Aya went to the police station to pick up her partner. Police did not communicate with Aya or arrange an Auslan interpreter. ‘It took me four days to find out he was in the jail, and he had been locked in jail for five days without an interpreter.’ Aya said she ‘lost it’. ‘Can you imagine being put into a cell and not knowing why? That’s why it’s imperative that we have interpreters.’
Aya emailed police on three occasions asking to arrange a meeting with an Auslan interpreter but did not receive a satisfactory response. Eventually, police showed her a statement they had drafted on her behalf. Aya disagreed with the statement and requested an interpreter to amend it. Police told Aya she did not need an interpreter to make a statement.
Aya has not had any contact with her partner since he was arrested. She believes he is being held at a correctional centre.
‘I’ve asked for communication repeatedly through an interpreter, and I’ve received absolutely nothing. So, I’m often not allowed to contact my partner to check in, are they okay. It’s like there’s this complete barrier that’s been set up. I have no communication. I’m just frustrated. It’s giving me trauma.’
Aya has to attend court and is unsure if the court will arrange an interpreter. Aya said the court system is impossible for Deaf people to access.
Another time, Aya’s adult daughter called police after an incident with Aya. A male and female officer wearing masks walked into Aya’s house while she was in the kitchen cooking dinner. Aya asked them to get an Auslan interpreter or leave the house. The officers refused and kept trying to communicate with her in English. The officers stayed for about 30 minutes and watched Aya. She told them she has complex post-traumatic stress disorder and they eventually left.
Two months ago, police arrived at Aya’s friends’ house who are also Deaf. The friends asked police to get an Auslan interpreter and gave them a card with details. The police refused to get an interpreter and instead attempted to get their children to interpret.
One time, Aya was pulled over by police. The officers did not believe Aya was Deaf and she felt targeted. She did not make a complaint because she was worried about retribution.
Since then, Aya has made formal complaints about her interactions with police but nothing happens.
‘I feel like I’ve got no hope. I actually think that the police force do not care about the Deaf community.’
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.