Ewen
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.
‘I’ll tell you one thing mate, I had to stand up for my rights.’
Ewen is in his 50s and blind. Until recently he lived with his parents in a regional town.
‘I’ve had bad experiences with mum and dad [financially],’ Ewen told the Royal Commission.
The NDIS supports Ewen, but didn’t give him much choice about where he could live.
‘That’s what they said to me. Live at mum and dads or live in a group home.’
Ewen moved into a group home, which was fine when he arrived. But soon he noticed the support workers ordering the residents about.
‘Because we were mucking around in our own private home, like because it’s our place where we live in, it’s not their place … they started saying things like … “You’re not allowed to touch each other” or this, that and the other.’
One support worker told Ewan that if he reported ‘anything that’s in this house’ he would be ‘kicked out’.
‘I felt very frightened and scared … I went straight to my room and couldn’t come out.’
Ewen said the other residents were also frightened. So, in spite of the threat, he told the manager of his service provider, who was ‘furious’ and launched an investigation.
‘[The support workers] had to not come back to the house at all while the investigation was happening.’
One day, without warning, they did come back.
‘I felt very nervous and I couldn’t even speak.’
Ewen said the investigation had cleared the support workers and recommended instead that Ewen get help for his behaviour.
When one of the support workers later organised a party for the house, they invited all the residents except Ewen, who felt they were punishing him.
‘I had to stay back and have tea at home by myself with a carer, of course, and I felt really upset and uncomfortable.’
Ewen said that although the behaviour of the support workers seems to have improved since then, they haven’t yet earned his trust.
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.