That was the official response when a young navy servicewoman went to a senior officer to report physical and emotional bullying.
The Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide has heard the tragic story of Teri Bailey,who took her life in December 2020 on the Gold Coast. It was her 25th birthday,five years after her chosen career ended in a dishonourable discharge.
Not alive to give evidence herself,Teri’s story was instead told by her sister,Alexandra,who broke down in tears several times during her testimony on day three of the hearings in Brisbane on Wednesday.
Teri enlisted in May 2014 when she was 18. Her sister described her as “athletic” and “kind”.
Alexandra said that two months after Teri enlisted,she dislocated her knee during her service.
This resulted in bullying from fellow sailors,who made her feel like she was weaker than the rest. She was accused of faking the injury and also labelled a malingerer. Sometimes,when standing in formation,other sailors would kick her injured knee from behind,or pinch or pull her hair.
Alexandra said Teri had surgery on her knee in Sydney,but after the operation woke up in a psychiatric ward,confused and frightened.