Renata
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.
Renata used to be a registered nurse. About a decade ago, following a stroke, she became an inpatient in a private rehabilitation ward in a regional town.
Renata told the Royal Commission that she was abused numerous times while she was there – physically, sexually and emotionally.
One of the big issues was privacy with respect to personal hygiene. Renata explained how nursing staff had no respect for her wish to have female staff help her with things like bathing. Despite her expressed wishes, male staff would take her to the toilet, take her clothes off and squat in front of her while she was urinating.
Renata told the Royal Commission that night staff would not attend to her incontinence, so most mornings her husband had to come and change her soiled pads and underpants.
During meal times, because she only had use of one arm and hand, Renata was treated like a child who refuses to eat their food. She felt ‘constantly humiliated’ by some members of the staff who, she thought, might have singled her out because she used to be a registered nurse.
Renata didn’t complain at the time due to her condition, slow rate of recovery and fear of retribution. She said she felt very vulnerable at the time of her discharge.
Renata acknowledges that some of the staff at the rehabilitation ward were good nurses who treated her with respect. But she is concerned about the training and selection of caregivers and believes that all caregivers should undergo psychological evaluation before they are allowed to work.
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.