Erin
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.
Erin is a disability support worker. She told the Royal Commission that when she started with her current organisation more than two years ago, she witnessed other staff mistreat and abuse clients.
Erin used the organisation’s complaints and incidents procedure to address the issues. After some months – during which time the behaviours continued – the staff members who perpetrated the abuse were made redundant.
But the problem has not really been addressed, Erin said, and the two staff members in question are now working for another disability support service in the same town.
‘I have great fears that these people may not have changed their behaviour. One of these staff members is now doing community access with a customer I support and they come to the residence where customers they previously mistreated live … I have to be careful as I live in a small regional town where everyone knows each other, so I have been too scared to address this in any other way than to inform the Commission.’
She noted that her customer, who goes on community access outings with one of these people, often returns in an agitated state. ‘I am concerned what is being said and how she is treated whilst out with this staff member,’ Erin said.
Erin told us she thinks disability support organisations should check with previous employers if there have been complaints or incidents implicating a staff member they are considering for a job.
‘We need people to not be scared of standing up for themselves and saying if they feel mistreated or for others to not be scared to speak up for those who cannot do so … I hope that all forms of abuse and violence towards anyone anywhere will be exposed and offenders made accountable and that our society moves towards being more fair and just.’
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.