Yelena
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.
Yelena was a disability support worker in the child protection system. She resigned after working long shifts under stressful conditions in a ‘very challenging and difficult job’. Yelena said the company was frequently short-staffed and she knew of many carers who had been hurt and verbally abused, affecting their ability to help their clients.
While serving her two weeks’ notice, her team leader one night placed Yelena in a residential house alone with a male client.
‘I was only told that the client was a good person to work with, but he sexually harassed me and assaulted me during the work that night.’
She wasn’t able to get help until the next worker arrived. The next morning she reported the incident to the police and the company that employed her.
‘The psychological injury is immeasurable and irreversible, and it caused me having mental illness which affects my future work negatively.’
The company met Yelena a few days later, but failed to explain why she was sent alone to care for a male client without being fully briefed about his behaviour.
‘It is very important to assess the risk of a client and their living environment before providing any support.’
After she left the company, she lodged a complaint with a government workplace safety authority.
Yelena said the company had sent her into a difficult working environment before she was fully trained to deal with challenging behaviours.
‘[This] affects the efficiency and the quality of the support. The workplace should follow the regulation and procedure to perform safe work at workplace, which will be helpful for people with disability to recover better.’
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.