Eva’s Story / He kōrero whaiaro: Freedom from Fear and Control
Aged 40, Eva lived overseas with her mum and was loved and respected. Eva had learning disabilities and autism. She took longer to process information and reach decisions, but she was very capable of making her own choices. Life was good!
Suddenly the situation at home changed. Eva’s mum died.
Eva returned to New Zealand and moved in with her dad. Eva’s dad struggled with his own mental health and autism. He tried to control Eva - taking her phone, deciding what she ate and wore, and stopping her from seeing family or talking about her mum.
Eva became isolated and afraid. She worried Dad might hurt her like he had hurt her brother before.
The rest of Eva’s family was worried when they weren’t allowed contact or visit her. They knew she wasn’t safe. They tried several organisations, but no-one could help. Finally, one of the agencies told Eva’s family about safeguarding.
This was when everything changed.
The safeguarding agency listened very carefully and said they could help.
They appointed a SAFA Co-ordinator and she skilfully built a support team with the right specialists and whānau involved.
The team included someone that Eva’s dad already knew, trusted and felt safe to talk to – as they had no access to Eva except through her father.
The SAFA Co-ordinator also included Eva’s mum’s side of the family.
They made sure that the two parties never had to talk to or see each other, but that all viewpoints and needs were heard and considered.
Most importantly, Eva’s needs were kept at the heart.
The safeguarding team saw that Eva’s dad was often feeling overwhelmed and that this showed up in angry and controlling behaviour towards Eva. They knew that Eva was increasingly unsafe with her dad and she needed to get out of that environment.
Getting Eva’s consent
Although the SAFA Co-ordinator hadn’t yet been able to meet with Eva or get her consent (agreement) to their actions, the safeguarding team agreed that the situation wasn’t safe for Eva and new living arrangements had to be found, away from dad.
The safeguarding team had a duty of care and was obliged to act. They decided to seek Eva’s consent only when she could safely provide it, so they wouldn’t make things worse for her at home. Everyone worked together as a ‘multi-agency team’ to come up with the best solutions for Eva and for her dad, and to put in the right supports quickly.
Eva’s dad had someone he trusted to talk with, and he agreed he was overwhelmed and it would be better to let Eva live with another family member.
When Eva moved to her aunty’s house, this was when the safeguarding team could appropriately obtain Eva’s consent to the ongoing safeguarding intervention. Eva was relieved to be in a safe place and learned about the safeguarding opportunities available to her. She was able to make her own choices through supported decision-making, aided by her aunty and by an independent advocate who joined the safeguarding team.
Finding a safe place for Eva to live
In the meantime, the SAFA Co-ordinator had helped Eva’s aunty complete a detailed needs assessment (called a NASC assessment) and this was considered by the district health board (DHB). Based on Eva’s disabilities and needs, the DHB confirmed funding for ‘supported residential living’ for Eva.
It took three months for the multi-agency team find Eva a place, but everyone stayed involved and made sure she could move to the right kind of environment where she could be safe, happy and supported. After she moved, the advocate stayed in touch with Eva and her aunty, helping Eva through the transition and making sure things were working out for her. Slowly, Eva started to regain confidence and feel safe again.
Three years later, Eva is thriving. She gets the day-to-day support she needs in residential care, in a community she calls ‘home’. She’s closely connected with her family and sees her dad when it’s safe. She is busy and productive every day, thanks to a community organisation geared to support disabled people. She has friends and has re-built her confidence and self-esteem. She enjoys making her own decisions.
Eva’s family now understands the immense value of safeguarding and is relieved that Eva is living a good life, free from harm.
Safeguarding agencies in Aotearoa rely on donations to help people like Eva. If you’d like to support this work, please donate to VisAble.
About VisAble
VisAble works across sectors and communities to raise awareness of the impact of family and sexual violence on disabled people and whānau.
We work with the disability sector and with organisations who support disabled people.
We strengthen these organisations’ safeguarding / whakahaumarutia practices through providing expert training, self-assessment tools, and guidance, along with accessible, high-quality safeguarding resources.