Lucy
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.
Lucy is a middle-aged woman with Down syndrome and intellectual disability. This impacts her ability to make informed decisions and complete her self‐care and daily activities, such as cooking, managing money and shopping.
Lucy’s niece told the Royal Commission that Lucy’s independent support worker has been financially abusing her.
‘The support worker has been visiting Lucy for over 1 year. Recently, my grandmother (Lucy’s carer) … discovered that some money has been missing from their home. This prompted my grandmother to investigate Lucy’s bank account, where she discovered that thousands of dollars have been withdrawn from Lucy’s account, unaccounted for.’
When the family spoke to Lucy, she told them the support worker has been telling her that her mother doesn't care about her and doesn't love her. The support worker has been convincing Lucy that she is the only one Lucy should trust.
Lucy told her family the support worker asked her for money every week. Lucy would go to the bank with her and withdraw all of the money she could.
The family has only just become aware of this situation and has as yet ‘had no luck talking to the support worker or any organisations that they are linked with’.
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.