Sharon
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.
Sharon is a support worker in a group home. She told the Royal Commission she is concerned about the financial exploitation of people with disability she sees every day.
Sharon supports four men, aged in their 30s and 40s, who have cognitive disability. She says their level of disability might mean they ‘would not understand how they are being treated’.
Sharon says the group home has directed support workers to spend no more than $64 on each resident each week. This is supposed to provide three meals each day ‘plus snacks for morning and afternoon tea’.
Sharon told her team leader it is impossible to provide that many nutritious meals for such a low budget, but nothing has changed.
Sharon hopes that by making her submission, she is taking steps ‘to protect these people that are unable to protect themselves’.
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.