Lucca and Milana
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.
‘It is no small thing to abuse a child with autism who does not understand what the problem is and whose confidence is likely to be undermined next time he goes out in public places.’
Earlier this year Lucca was shopping with his mum Milana. Lucca is not yet 10 and has autism.
It started out as a usual grocery shop, Milana told the Royal Commission, until one of the staff verbally abused Lucca.
Milana was shaken and couldn’t understand why the staff member behaved so aggressively. She tried to speak to the staff member, who eventually offered ‘an explanation of sorts’, saying another child ‘had misbehaved in the store previously’.
‘Clearly the staff member … did not consider disability as an issue and acted in a way that suggested no small degree of insensitivity.’ Milana said.
A disability advocate is helping Milana make a formal complaint to the store.
Milana wants the store to apologise to Lucca and her. She also wants them to implement disability awareness training for all staff and managers ‘with an emphasis on greater understanding of the specific needs of children’.
Milana said all stores should have mandatory training because people with disability are engaging with the community more today than in previous decades.
‘My hope is that people with disability are encouraged to access the community and are treated with understanding rather than hostility.’
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.