Mia and Sadie
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.
Mia lived at a residential centre for people with acquired brain injury for more than 30 years. The centre accommodated approximately 50 residents – only three were female.
In the early years, it was a happy place and the care was good, Mia’s sister Sadie told the Royal Commission. But the high staff turnover and workplace bullying created an environment where abuse and neglect were tolerated.
A few years ago Mia was sexually assaulted by a male resident, twice. When Mia and Sadie reported the assaults, management were adamant the male resident could not have assaulted Mia. They insisted he did not have the cognitive capacity or enough movement in his hands. Nothing happened, and Sadie felt that Mia was punished for her complaint.
Mia was moved from her private room into different shared rooms – something Mia did not want. Each time she was moved, her possessions were left in the old room for the new resident. Her valuables were never returned. Staff provided no explanation.
The neglect Mia had been experiencing increased.
Staff would leave Mia in her wheelchair all day. She complained about her sore bottom but nothing was done. When Sadie visited, she always found Mia in her chair. ‘[Staff] basically stuffed her into the corner and left her to her own devices,’ she said.
Mia began to lose weight. The centre provided limited menu options and allowed only a narrow window for Mia to finish her meal.
‘There were no happy feelings in the room, it was quick, get the meals over with, clean up and get out of there … Would you like to have a meal under those circumstances? Would you like to be threatened to have your meal taken away if you don’t chow down quick smart?’
To help her gain weight they substituted her meals with a liquid supplement.
‘Nobody bothered to look into why Mia was refusing meals,’ Sadie said. ‘Instead they just kept giving her the supplement drink – for years. While this may have a short-term desired effect, long term it can damage one’s health.’
Sadie was concerned about the way Mia’s health was managed. She was Mia’s guardian, yet she was often excluded from medical appointments and decisions. Several times staff made poor unauthorised decisions that caused Mia unnecessary stress, pain and seizures.
‘Management didn’t like it when I advocated for my sister, they hated being questioned and being answerable to me.’
Sadie felt when she complained management ignored her and directed staff not to talk to her. Staff lied, she said, and openness, transparency and accountability didn’t mean anything to them. ‘I was saddened by the arrogance and lack of compassion towards the residents and their families.’
Mia eventually moved to a small group home run by a private provider, and it was at this point Sadie discovered years of financial abuse by the centre.
‘Even though I was successful in resolving this issue for Mia, I am aware that other clients were still being financially disadvantaged. Most do not have an advocate and those that do would be unaware of this problem.’
Sadie is pleased Mia is no longer at the centre but remains frustrated. Despite complaints to government and the minister she wasn’t able to hold anyone accountable for what happened to Mia.
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.