Honor
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.
Honor has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and mental health issues. She wrote to the Royal Commission about the lack of understanding the education system shows towards people with disability.
‘My school knows my history not only with ADHD but also with mental health. [A] specific person neglected to read my personal records that have information in them about how to handle me when I’m in an episode.’
The assistant principal threatened Honor with police intervention for not taking out her nose ring. Honor says she had been ‘distracted and hyper focused’ on doing her schoolwork.
‘A teacher should never threaten the police on a student, especially if the student is not being threatening or [is] non-violent … the way my school also handled the situation was horrible.’
Honor hopes that in the future ‘our schools are filled with teachers who are kind and understanding, not aggressive and threatening’
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.