Kalifa
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.
Kalifa, late teens, is from a culturally and linguistically diverse background. She is autistic and has intellectual disability and mental health conditions.
As a baby, the department of child protection removed Kalifa from her parents and placed her in foster care where, her advocate told the Royal Commission, she was abused, neglected and witnessed violence.
Following a hospital admission when she was a pre-teen, child protection moved Kalifa to a secure residential facility where, again, there were ‘instances of abuse and unfair treatment’.
At 18, the department moved Kalifa to supported independent living (SIL) accommodation.
The advocate said Kalifa and her parents felt the provider disrespected her.
There were no curtains on the windows in her bedroom. Staff neglected her hygiene and personal care and she often had lice.
‘The fridge for [her] food was found to have virtually nothing in it aside from pork and veal – in contravention of her halal food plan.’
There was also a ‘revolving door’ of female support workers.
‘[This] meant consistency, something [Kalifa] really needs to achieve her NDIS goals, was lacking.’
Kalifa’s family made a number of complaints.
The disability service provider agreed to relocate Kalifa to a home by herself.
Suddenly, they decided to move her to mix-gendered household where she would be the only female.
Kalifa’s mother strongly objected to the move.
‘Being moved to a home that includes males is in violation of [Kalifa]’s Muslim religion,’ the advocate said.
The family made an official complaint. This was when they discovered Kalifa was now under the care of the public guardian.
‘It is unclear as to why [Kalifa] had guardianship imposed upon her,’ her advocate said. ‘Her family members were not even informed about the process taking place.’
The family contacted the guardian, who was unaware of the move. They begged the guardian to stop the move and suggested several culturally appropriate SIL homes.
‘All pleas on [Kalifa]’s behalf were disregarded.’
Staff in the new home stopped supporting Kalifa to attend Friday prayers and religious celebrations.
‘Somehow family visits became a problem for guardianship authorities.’
Staff failed to keep Kalifa safe.
‘She had a particular housemate who was violent and made her so fearful she would not leave her room – not even to use the toilet. Support workers assumed she was staying in room by choice and just leave her there, and not even feed her.’
After one incident, Kalifa was hospitalised.
The local area coordinator intervened and moved her to another house managed by a different provider.
The new provider had never had a SIL client before and there was no handover.
‘They had no idea about [Kalifa] including her allergies, her likes and dislikes.’
She didn’t have sufficient medications to last a full day and no feminine hygiene products. When the family asked the guardian for some money to buy the things Kalifa needed, the guardian was unaware she had moved.
Kalifa’s advocate says the public guardian is not doing their job.
‘Why were [Kalifa]’s support people the ones who had to notify guardianship authorities and act when she was moved to a mixed-sex premises in defiance of her and her family’s cultural values – not to mention [her] personal safety – and when she was moved again?’
Kalifa says her family is ‘at the end of their tether’.
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.