Disabled Man Allegedly Assaulted in NDIS-Supported Home in Western Australia
A young disabled man has allegedly suffered shocking injuries while living in a National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) supported home, with the incident only discovered when his mother made an unexpected visit before Christmas.
Corey, who lives with severe autism, was found by his mother Kim McBrearty lying on a couch at his accommodation in Western Australia, covered in blood and bruises with no medical assistance immediately available.
Family's Disturbing Discovery
"No one deserves to be assaulted, especially a vulnerable person like that," McBrearty told 7NEWS. "You don't want to put your children in these places, and you put your trust and care in these people. And they're getting good money for doing it, and they're just not doing it."
Despite carers being responsible for Corey's wellbeing, an ambulance was only called when McBrearty demanded it during her visit. The family believes this represents clear neglect of duty.
Ongoing Trauma and Investigation
Corey spent four weeks in hospital recovering from his injuries. While the physical scars have healed, his family reports significant psychological changes.
- Corey now refuses hugs from his mother
- His mother experiences guilt about placing him in the accommodation
- The family feels Corey cannot advocate for himself due to his disability
"The big thing is, if my mum never came over that day, would Corey have even gone to the hospital? Would he have even gotten help?" asked Corey's sister Nicole Kershaw.
Conflicting Accounts and Official Responses
Western Australia Police have reopened their investigation into the alleged assault, though they note that subsequent neglect allegations may not constitute a criminal matter.
The NDIS Commission has been investigating accommodation provider My Way for three months regarding this incident. In a statement, the Commission confirmed it is "assessing the incident" but cannot comment on active matters.
My Way's CEO Peter Mapior stated the organization takes "the safety and wellbeing of people with disability seriously" and "responded immediately to the incident." He noted that Corey had a chronic blood disorder that caused bruising and occasional nosebleeds, and that calling an ambulance was part of his safety plan.
Family's Determination for Justice
McBrearty has vowed to continue fighting for answers, expressing frustration with the lack of communication from authorities.
"They just think we're stupid, and we're not going to, you know, we're just going to let it go. But I'm not, because Corey can't fight," she said.
The family remains committed to seeking accountability for what they describe as a failure of the system designed to protect vulnerable individuals with disabilities.
