Craig
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.
Craig has cerebral palsy. Growing up he felt like ‘an oddity and an outsider,’ but he became a champion swimmer, worked full-time and is now studying at university.
‘I have and am building a life of success and purpose,’ he told the Royal Commission.
When Craig moved into a new flat recently, a neighbour began abusing him. It started with loud noises from the flat next door.
‘He likes to play his music very loudly along with whistling and singing, along with slamming of cupboards and doors.’
Craig asked if he could keep the noise down, and thought he’d reached an understanding with the neighbour. Then the noise increased.
‘He has seen me and can tell I have a physical disability and he might think … he can get away with his targeted psychological abuse toward me.’
One evening, Craig called the police.
‘They spoke to him, which was met with anger and he banged on an adjoining wall with my apartment and then went onto his balcony and yelled in my direction to never do that again. Since that incident, the abuse has intensified to a point where I am too scared to go out on my balcony.’
The police told Craig there was nothing they could do.
‘One evening he even taunted me with, “Police, police, where are they? Call them, go on.” I'm too afraid to call the police for fear of retaliation from him.’
Craig has been documenting the noise and abuse and, with the support of the building’s manager, made a complaint to the body corporate. He’s worried about what will happen next.
‘It will no doubt infuriate him and I am anxious every time I leave my apartment for fear of coming face to face with him.’
He said he might have to move, at great cost, but felt he also had a duty to follow through with his complaint.
‘If I … allow this kind of psychological abuse toward me, [it] will in some way condone this kind of abuse toward myself and my disabled community.’
Craig said he faced bullying before and wanted other people with disability to know he would never tolerate it again.
‘Keep up the good work and keep fighting,’ Craig told the Royal Commission. ‘I intend to as well.’
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.