Hallie
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 feel like I was treated like I do not deserve justice or to feel protected.’
Hallie has post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and borderline personality disorder. She explained to the Royal Commission that this means she goes into ‘survival mode’ and flees when she is overwhelmed.
Recently, Hallie had to give evidence in court to have a restraining order against a violent ex-partner continued. The magistrate refused to allow Hallie’s support worker to sit with her while she waited to give evidence. This triggered a PTSD episode and she had to flee court.
Hallie went to police hoping they could help her and she could ‘settle and regain confidence’. She explained her ‘erratic behaviour’ was due to her disability and she needed support. Police didn’t listen and they ‘confused and traumatised’ her further.
Hallie returned to court and spoke to court staff, again explaining why she needed her support worker. They suggested she wait down the stairs with her support worker. She said she did exactly what they told her to do. Additionally she told security guards and administration where she was waiting and why she was there.
Despite this, no-one advised the magistrate.
After a while security guards told Hallie ‘she wasn’t needed’ and to talk to police.
Hallie’s case was dismissed because everyone assumed ‘she didn't show up’ to give evidence.
‘I did everything I could to try to understand and cope under the circumstances.’
Hallie’s PTSD has become ‘impossible to manage’ and she has self-harmed and tried to suicide. She wasn’t able to attend court again and the restraining order was cancelled. Hallie, a single mum, said this decision also affected her children.
‘All they had to do was read my file, due to all the domestic violence reports they would have seen everything they needed to know about my mental health disabilities and taken more care to help me not cause me more harm.’
Hallie said she’s not sure if she will be able to trust police, lawyers or magistrates again.
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.