Germaine
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.
Germaine is transgender and has intellectual disability.
She grew up in foster care and wasn’t formally diagnosed until later in life.
Germaine was so neglected as a child, she feels stuck in her childhood and often dreams about being a child.
‘My brain [is] so much broken,’ she said.
At school, teachers and students bullied and ostracised her.
‘I did not receive the education I deserved,’ Germaine told the Royal Commission. ‘I was not encouraged or supported to meet my potential in education or in sport.’
As a teenager and young adult, people who were supposed to look after her, exploited and abused her.
Now in her 30s, nothing’s changed.
‘I don’t hurt others and I don’t push my life choices onto anyone. But because I look and sound a bit different I am judged, verbally abused and treated like I’m less than human.’
Germaine said people in the community shun her.
‘I have had people yell at me. Recently while standing at the traffic lights, a passer-by told me to do myself a favour and jump into the traffic.’
Germaine has been robbed, bashed and left to die.
‘I am a quiet person and do nothing to be treated badly.’
Germaine has started having difficulties getting the medication she needs. A new doctor at the local clinic refuses to prescribe hormones to transgender patients.
Germaine’s counsellor tried to help and accompanied her to an appointment.
‘The doctor spoke to my counsellor, not me. I told the doctor, I have received a prescription for that medication at this practice previously. She took a long time reading through my file and then again said, I cannot write the prescription. You will have to re-book with another doctor.’
The doctor’s religious believes prevented her prescribing the hormones to Germaine.
‘In Australia we are allowed to be transgender. If they don’t personally agree with that, they should not be allowed to put their beliefs onto their patients.’
It took a week to get another doctor’s appointment.
Recently, police attended Germaine’s apartment building looking for someone.
They knocked on her door and when she answered, accused her of hiding the person.
‘They barged into my apartment. One officer held me while another searched through my apartment. They continued to question me about hiding him. Eventually they left without any comment. They treated me like trash.’
Germaine’s accommodation provider treats her poorly and she finds it hard to complain.
She had no hot water for several months, despite repeatedly asking them to fix it.
Eventually she contacted an advocate and the provider finally fixed the problem.
The provider often inspects Germaine’s apartment when she’s not there.
One time she got home and found her front door open.
‘I went in to tell them they left my property unlocked and the door open. They shrugged it off,’ Germaine said.
‘Life sometimes feels like hell in adulthood and I feel like a misfit and I need to hide away from the world.’
Germaine wants better education about disability and difference.
‘Just because someone looks different they still deserve to be shown acceptance and respect.’
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.