Colleen and Debra
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.
Colleen is in her 40s and has an intellectual disability and schizoaffective disorder. She’s been living in the same supported independent living (SIL) house for more than two decades.
‘I used to feel like I was free to pop in there,’ said her mum Debra. ‘I felt welcome in there. I felt like it was a little bit more like a home.’
Debra told the Royal Commission things changed when a new service provider took over a few years ago. It’s ‘just not a home’ anymore.
Before the change, Colleen’s old service provider persuaded Debra to become her daughter’s guardian.
‘[They] could foresee the problems … Without guardianship I would have been completely ignored as a parent.’
Debra said the new staff appeared untrained and unable to manage Colleen, and after a few weeks she became concerned for Colleen’s safety.
‘Special needs kids – they're lovely but they can be difficult too. I suppose we all know that. But … [Colleen] won't just conform [and] if they couldn't get her to do what they wanted her to do, then she would be bullied and abused.’
Debra said staff always had an excuse not to take Colleen out into the community, even though they were paid to take her out.
‘One staff member just in the last few months actually verbalised to me, “We don't want to take her.” … So my daughter's sitting there. She's told me, “Mum I feel lonely.”’
Debra said Colleen’s clothes were often dirty and she may not have been showered. She also appeared to be overmedicated and her behaviour deteriorated. One day she drank cleaning fluid and was rushed to hospital. Another time staff called the police, who used capsicum spray.
‘Even if she was rough and angry and everything, it doesn't justify giving a special needs child capsicum spray and throwing them in the back of the [police van].’
When Debra complained to the disability services department, the service provider launched its own investigation and accused Debra of being ‘controlling’ and ‘bossy’.
‘I am an active person and I like to be like that because I want to know how my daughter's going, and I want to tell the truth of what's happening.’
The service provider banned Debra from the house.
‘They don't respect it anyway, actually, the guardianship.’
Debra said the provider also keeps ‘coming up with excuses’ why Colleen’s behavioural specialist can’t visit the home.
‘Why is it that we can't work together as a team? Team being me, [Colleen’s support workers], the house, the staff. Why isn't it better to [help Colleen] living a better life? But it's not like that.’
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.