Davion
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.
‘It is our job to identify failings, but we are surrounded by people willing to do anything to escape responsibility, punishment and loss of income.’
Davion, early 50s, lives with post-traumatic stress disorder.
A few years ago, he worked for a disability services provider. The organisation wanted to become an accredited NDIS provider and asked Davion to review their policies.
Davion told the Royal Commission the organisation had not reported any incidents in approximately 20 years. He discovered unusual financial behaviour, no processes for handling complaints, poor staff training and poor accreditation practices.
Davion made a number of recommendations and the organisation offered him a 12-month contract to implement them. Davion assumed he had broad management support and expected managers to cooperate.
However, staff refused to share information and he found himself embroiled in bitter ongoing fights.
One fight was between two managers. An investigation found one of them, Ed, had acted unethically.
Davion tried to stay out of it, but Ed pressured him.
‘I became a target for his aggression resulting in a threat to my life in the work carpark.’
Davion reported the incident to police but there was insufficient evidence to proceed with criminal charges. Police suggested he file a violence restraining order. ‘It was granted the next day but under stress from [Ed’s] lawyer, I later withdrew in place of a legal undertaking,’ Davion said.
Although the organisation ‘completely’ believed Davion had been threatened, he said their support was ‘not genuine or comprehensive’. There was a culture of cover-up and they tried to silence him rather than assist him.
Ed and other staff left the organisation to work for another provider. Davion said they took a number of clients with them and erased NDIS data.
Davion is concerned Ed remains employed in the disability sector and now coordinates supports for people with psychosocial disability.
Davion decided not to renew his contract. He has struggled to find employment since, in part because the experiences still haunt him.
‘I wanted to join the disability sector and support people with disability to be free from abuse but found that good intentions and skills are no match for an angry fearful culture of managers, support workers and board members willing to use NDIS training tools to escape responsibility, hide evidence, and protect their colleagues and their own careers.’
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.