Drew
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.
Drew lives with psychosocial disability and experiences depression.
Drew told the Royal Commission there is systemic homophobia in the mental health system and, as a lesbian and someone who uses gender-neutral pronouns, they often feel judged.
Each encounter has made them feel ‘stressed and anxious especially when attending clinics’. Many of Drew’s friends feel the same way.
Drew has similar feelings about the police.
One time Drew’s neighbours broke into Drew’s home and poisoned the plants. But the neighbours told police Drew chased them with a knife.
‘Since I am lesbian, I believe that my neighbours have used my “butch” appearance to paint me as the aggressor.’
The police charged Drew, who had no criminal history, with attempted murder. The case was ‘thrown out of court’.
Another time Drew was seriously assaulted. When they reported it, the police didn’t believe them and assumed they did it to themselves.
Drew has also been raped. ‘I reported it to the police who said I was delusional and didn’t even do a rape test.’
Recently somebody vandalised Drew’s car. The tyres had been slashed, the mirrors and lights smashed and the exhaust removed.
Drew believes it was the neighbours and contacted the police. But the police told Drew they would only talk to the neighbours if Drew leaves the neighbours alone. ‘I’ve not done anything to them or anybody.’
When the neighbours complain, however, the police seem to take the complaints very seriously.
One morning five police officers showed up at Drew’s house because the neighbour had complained about Drew playing an instrument at 5.30 am. They disregarded Drew’s denials, telling them to ‘lay off the weed’.
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.