Jasmine and Dani
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.
‘When the system changed from local health agencies … to NDIS, no-one picked up the welfare part of the job. There is no-one protecting these vulnerable individuals and nothing can be done as an urgent action.’
Dani is one of Jasmine’s support workers. She told the Royal Commission Jasmine needs protection – urgently.
Jasmine is in her early 20s and lives with her mother. She has a cognitive disability and mobility issues.
Dani said Jasmine’s mother uses alcohol and drugs and is unwell.
Jasmine has no access to showers, bathrooms, bedlinen or clean clothes. She has incontinence, and Dani has often found her in her own faecal matter.
Jasmine’s mother controls all of her Disability Support Pension. Jasmine is unable to buy personal items and medication.
‘Last week she did not have access to menstruation products and bled through to a [support worker]’s car seat and lounge.’
For the past three weeks Jasmine has had severe head lice. Support workers buy head lice treatment and treat Jasmine’s hair. However, when she returns home she becomes reinfested. Workers have spoken to Jasmine’s mother and asked her to treat Jasmine’s bedroom and bedding but she ignores them.
‘[Jasmine] has no access currently to electricity in her room due to an electrical fault. If a fire was to start, due to her physical disability and the clutter in the home she would not be able to escape.’
Dani has found Jasmine temporary accommodation that is safe. However, Jasmine believes she cannot leave her sick mother and doesn’t understand she is being neglected.
Dani has reported the situation to the police and public advocate and a guardianship order is pending.
‘There is no department I could report this to for immediate intervention, the police do not have jurisdiction and … she is … no longer under child protection. If the guardianship order is not granted, I will have no other avenue to get her out of this house and provide accommodation.’
Dani wants a welfare service to be established that can urgently investigate reports, inspect premises and act in the best interest of the person with disability. She said the guardianship process takes too long and is complex.
‘[There] needs to be a 24/7 hotline or a police protection program for carers to report familial abuse and neglect.’
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.