Clem and Viv
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.
Viv is the mother and guardian of Clem, who’s autistic and non-verbal.
‘He’s really quite violent at times,’ Viv told the Royal Commission. ‘I’ve been hit by [Clem] on a daily basis … I’m now [over 70], so no spring chicken.’
Viv had to relinquish care of Clem more a decade ago because ‘things were quite dire’. Clem entered a group home where, one day, another resident attacked him.
‘All the staff were aware of what happening. This new client was actually targeting [Clem], trying to kill him.’
After several months, the police warned Viv not to send Clem back into the house. Viv said she asked the NDIA for emergency accommodation, but they told her Clem had to return to the same house.
‘I said, “You’re sending [Clem] back to be killed.” And [the NDIS employee] said, “Well, that’s the safest environment for him.”’
After appealing that decision, Viv moved Clem to another group home.
‘I dealt with 62 different personnel between NDIS and NDIA over the issues with [Clem] in the house and trying to get better supports for him.’
Clem began damaging the house. Viv proposed moving him to her preferred service provider, which employed staff who had worked with Clem before. However this provider wasn’t registered with the NDIS.
‘[An NDIS employee] denied the provider of choice. We went backwards and forwards … We asked for him to have transition funding so he could transition out to somewhere else, to actually go into another accommodation place, and she denied everything.’
The group home eventually evicted Clem for damaging property and Viv has since struggled to find appropriate support. She bought Clem a house and employed a series of service providers, but they subsequently quit as well.
‘They shouldn’t just walk away. Like [Clem] is a 24/7 person so I’ve had to come back in irrespective of, you know, my health and … do the support of him. I’m at risk … I mean, he’s given me concussion.’
Clem recently contracted COVID-19 from a support worker and had to isolate. The service provider told Viv it could no longer care for him.
‘I was due to have my first knee replacement on the Monday and I have very low mobility, I’m on a walker and find things quite difficult. It really blindsided me … It was just a dreadful mess. So I found that really quite difficult because I couldn’t even shower [Clem]. I found it very difficult because I was in such a bad way with my knee.’
Clem’s most recent service provider also quit and claimed for services it didn’t provide. Viv said it’s becoming more difficult finding service providers that can support people with complex needs.
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.