Nia
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.
Nia lived in supported accommodation, ‘sort of group home with individual rooms for private residents’.
Nia told the Royal Commission that the male manager of the facility often ignored her privacy and invaded her personal space. He entered her room ‘without knocking and definitely without permission’. His manner was aggressive and abusive. ‘He tried to convince me … it was his right … to enter my bedroom without permission,’ Nia said.
One day when this happened, the situation escalated and the police were called. Nia said this resulted in her being ‘dragged to the ground and sectioned by paramedics’.
Nia experienced other abuse from the manager. He was ‘really hard’ on her and unprofessional from the beginning. It rained the day he moved Nia into the accommodation, using his friend’s ute and trailer. All her things got wet and ‘some of it was completely ruined’. When she complained the manager became angry and blamed her. He told her it was her fault and she shouldn’t ‘play the victim card’.
Nia felt unsafe, unsupported and scared.
The manager refused to provide transport and made it difficult for Nia to attend appointments. He told her to take public transport, and as a result she had to cancel some of her appointments.
This led to increased stress and an incident that saw Nia hospitalised overnight.
A disability advocate quickly organised alternative accommodation, where Nia still resides.
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.