Luciana and Heidy
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.
‘My daughter was denied justice because she wasn't allowed to have her story told.’
Luciana is autistic. Her mum, Heidi, told the Royal Commission Luciana’s teacher found her autism ‘annoying’, leading her to regularly shame Luciana and treat her unfairly. She shared an example with us.
One afternoon Heidy was waiting in the pebbled courtyard of the primary school for Luciana. When the bell sounded and children walked towards their parents, she heard snippets of excited conversation about what had happened in the courtyard that day.
Heidy didn’t pay too much attention until one boy walked up to her and told her the teacher had pushed Luciana’s face into the pebbles when the class was walking to the library.
The boy was confident, spoke clearly and looked directly at her, ‘all the things [Luciana] couldn’t do,’ Heidy said.
Although she was shocked, she stayed calm, thanked the boy and told him he was a good friend to Luciana.
She then searched for Luciana and found her walking very slowly towards her behind all the other students. She had blood on her forehead, skin off her nose and her chin. Her face was red and tear-stained.
Heidy knelt down, cuddled Luciana and asked her what happened. Luciana is non-verbal but she clearly made the sound she used for her teacher’s name.
Heidy went to find the teacher and asked her to explain what happened. When the teacher told her Luciana fell over, Heidy told her what the boy had seen. The teacher denied it.
Heidy demanded to know, if this was the case then why wasn’t she contacted by the school as per school policy? The teacher said there was no need because Luciana didn’t complain.
Incensed, Heidy told the teacher never to touch Luciana again.
The next day Heidy spoke to the principal and asked for something to be done.
Other parents contacted Heidy and told her their children also saw the teacher push Luciana’s face into the pebbles.
When there was no meaningful response from the principal Heidy escalated her complaint to the regional education director. He was receptive and empathetic but said he could only progress the allegation if Luciana attended an interview and told them in her words what happened. Heidy explained that as Luciana is non-verbal this was not possible. Also, it seemed unnecessary because there were so many other witnesses who could attest to what occurred.
Ultimately, she said, the regional director ‘didn’t care’ and there was no justice for Luciana.
Heidy wants more options for students who are non-verbal to tell their story so allegations can be investigated.
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.