Ruth
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.
Ruth is in her late 20s and has Asperger’s syndrome – only diagnosed about 10 years ago – and dyslexia. She wanted to share with the Royal Commission some of the negative experiences she had at primary and high school in her rural home town, including being ‘ostracised and blamed by teachers’ for her behaviour.
Ruth told us that the principal at her primary school bullied the children. She felt so uncomfortable there that for a three-week period she cried throughout recess and lunch every day. In hindsight Ruth believes she was having a breakdown, but at no point did anyone offer her any help.
Because of her dyslexia, Ruth sometimes had poor spelling. The teacher would ‘tell her off’ because of it, but no-one ever offered her a different way of learning.
During high school, Ruth was bullied by her ‘home class’. She asked to move, but the only response was that the vice principal accused her of using weed. Ruth denied the accusation, but the vice principal persisted in interrogating her until she had a panic attack. They then dropped the issue and never raised it again.
At this point, Ruth started to self-harm.
When she moved to a different high school she was bullied by a particular girl. This led to what she calls ‘Asperger’s meltdowns’. ‘I was caught banging my head against a wall, I was suspended.’
‘My experiences in school,’ Ruth said, ‘have left me with trauma that prevents me from further study or getting a job’.
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.