Pippa
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.
In the early 90s, Pippa was a regular student attending a regular state primary school in Sydney. Over a few weeks, with other classmates, she visited a special school. ‘I am still affected by the violence I witnessed,’ she told the Royal Commission.
‘During the few weeks we visited I saw the manual arts teacher flog a disabled male student with one of those old wooden 1-metre rulers. And again with his hand at another time. Us students were shocked and the experience of witnessing this has never left me …
‘The sound of that ruler hitting that student was very loud and traumatising, I can’t begin to imagine how it felt for the poor student.’
Pippa remembers being confused as to why the student did not react or cry despite the cruel treatment. She feels sure that she and her classmates told their own teachers about what they had seen but she does not believe the incidents were ever 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.