Sarina
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.
Sarina is in her 50s and has Down syndrome. She’s a member of a theatre group. ‘I’m just an actor, pretty much.’
Sarina’s sister Ellery supported her when she met the Royal Commission.
‘[Sarina] is an incredibly gifted dancer and comic,’ Ellery told us. ‘She has got amazing comic timing.’
Sarina lived at home until a few years ago, when she moved into a unit managed by a service provider. Her mother died recently and her father, who is her guardian, tightly controls her finances.
Ellery said their father’s attitude to Sarina’s care is that the service provider knows best. As a result, Sarina lives in an ‘absolutely restrictive environment’.
‘We are nearly the same age and they treat you like a baby, don't they?’
‘Yeah,’ said Sarina.
For example, Sarina’s unit doesn’t have a phone, and Sarina’s not allowed to have her own mobile phone. She has to borrow a support worker’s phone if she wants to call someone.
‘I just need to learn the phone thing,’ said Sarina.
Sarina used to catch a bus by herself, but her unit isn’t close to public transport. Without staff trained to accompany her, she’s not allowed to use public transport. Ellery said the service provider has a car, but Sarina’s not allowed to go out unless her roommate also needs to go out.
‘A number of times she has wanted to do things like go ice-skating and been told no, it is too dangerous,’ Ellery told the Royal Commission. ‘And there is a whole load of restrictions … but nobody is taking the time to teach Sarina about money and managing it.’ Sarina has to ask permission to use her own money.
Ellery said support workers also force Sarina to go to bed at 9.30 every night.
‘Nine-thirty is a ridiculous bedtime for an adult, especially when it is midmovie. And [Sarina] loves watching movies.’
‘If I want to stay up watching movies, [I should be] allowed,’ said Sarina.
Sarina has an iPad, but no access to the internet in her unit.
‘I don't think I've done anything with it yet.’
Ellery said that once, when a support worker was abusive, the service provider told Sarina that only her parents were allowed to discuss complaints.
‘It was a really impossible situation, and there is also a culture where if you complain you are trouble and difficult, and [Sarina] is rightly scared of being [evicted].’
‘And I want my [own] goals,’ said Sarina.
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.