Emersyn
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.
‘A lot of people in my area are naive about mental illness. They think that if someone has a mental illness they're dangerous and should be watched and kept away from. I've never experienced so much discrimination and stigma in my entire life.’
Emersyn, mid-50s, has psychosocial and physical disabilities.
For most of her adult life she’s found it difficult to find secure, affordable housing.
Ten years ago, the department of housing built Emersyn a granny flat on her father’s property. She pays a portion of her Disability Support Pension as rent to the department.
Emersyn’s father and stepmother, Joy, live in a house at the front of the property.
‘I've always had a difficult relationship with my stepmother, and she's got a tendency to be coercive and controlling.’
Lately, the situation has become untenable.
A few years ago, Joy discussed Emersyn’s mental illness with the neighbours. Emersyn was ‘deeply embarrassed’ and shocked Joy ‘violated [her] privacy’. Every time she saw Joy or the neighbours they’d make inappropriate comments about her disability and snide remarks about the medication she takes.
Joy then began monitoring Emersyn’s movements. ‘It’s continual stalking,’ she said.
Emersyn tried to talk to Joy and suggested they all attend family counselling, to no avail.
‘[Joy] refuses to believe that she is doing anything wrong or anything that's inappropriate and damaging.’
Emersyn no longer talks to the neighbours. ‘[I] attempted suicide a few times because of the distress.’
Desperate to move, Emersyn approached the department of housing. They offered her emergency accommodation in a shared facility but she couldn’t bring her cat. She’s now on a public housing waiting list. Ideally, she’d like to buy some land and move the granny flat to the land, something the department has agreed to do.
The NDIS has funded an additional support worker to help her find alternative housing but there is nothing in the area she can afford. They’ve suggested a group home but Emersyn wouldn’t ‘feel comfortable living in that kind of situation’.
Recently she approached an aged care provider but she’s not old enough to access their services.
Emersyn returned to university to get a job so she can buy some land. She said that’s her only hope to be ‘as independent as possible’.
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.