Vidal
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.
Vidal came to Australia with his family when he was a teenager. Now in his 50s, he has complex post-traumatic stress disorder (CPTSD), a brain injury and various health issues.
‘I have been diagnosed with complex PTSD because of all the trauma that I have reoccurring throughout my life,’ Vidal told the Royal Commission. ‘No-one can see our injuries, it’s hidden. But it’s difficult for us, especially for immigrants with a psychosocial disability.’
Vidal worked in a range of industries before getting a job teaching at a tertiary institution.
‘My psychosocial disability [was] poorly understood. As an example, it looks that I’m angry when I’m not angry. It’s just my facial expression … or because I am a person that is constantly translating I have to take a second or two to speak to the other person. And because I do have a brain injury, after whole day doing all this I’m very tired.’
Vidal said even though he declared his disability to his employer, staff bully him.
‘They call me names, they humiliated me because of my accent not understanding that I have a broken brain, that sometimes, you know, my brain doesn’t come up with all the words.’
One manager, aware of Vidal’s CPTSD, mocked his accent and interrogated him after Vidal complained of being bullied.
‘He said that there was no bullying cases in the workplace. And then he start accusing me of getting arrogant … I couldn’t speak. I couldn’t properly say anything. I was just crying and asking him to stop. He didn’t stop.’
Vidal also asked the institution for reasonable adjustments to help him work, such as taking short breaks and being able to wear noise-cancelling headphones when he’s working in his office so he can concentrate.
‘They send me a response [saying] it’s not reasonable or practical to do any of that. So, basically they discarded completely my disability.’
Vidal became ill and took leave.
‘When I saw my first psychiatrist, the psychiatrist confirmed that this was a case of bullying, direct bullying, and recommended to move me away.’
He applied to move, but ‘nothing happened’. Vidal said the institution seemed to be trying to force him to retire.
‘They wanted to medically retire me, but my psychologists, psychiatrists, they all agreed that it’s not a problem with me and work. It was a problem with the bullies.’
Vidal complained to an independent investigator, which ordered the institution to improve workplace health and safety practices. Vidal still works there, but in another area.
‘They’re not giving me back my teaching position because the bullies are still there. They are protecting the bullies.’
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.