Melanie Niedermeyer

Frankfurt , Germany

I am born into a Sinti [Romani people] family in Frankfurt, the youngest of 7 children

Frankfurt , Germany

Frankfurt am Main , Germany

Since I am born, my mother has no time for me because she is taking care of the children of my brother who is in prison

Frankfurt am Main , Germany

Daxluegstraße , Hallwang , Austria

At age 2, my father, a pimp, and his brother attack one of his prostitute's clients, who wants to buy her freedom

Daxluegstraße , Hallwang , Austria

Frankfurt , Germany

At age 5, nobody tells me that my father has been sentenced to fifteen years in prison, so I think he is dead

Frankfurt , Germany

Bessarabierstraße , Salzburg , Austria

At age 7, I am neglected and sent to stay with my grandmother in Salzburg, I feel rejected and have no contact with my mother or siblings

Bessarabierstraße , Salzburg , Austria

At age 9, I cook and clean all on my own at my strict grandmother's house

Bessarabierstraße , Salzburg , Austria

Salzburg , Austria

At age 9, I am aggressive toward my grandmother, cannot concentrate at school, and I am diagnosed with a learning disorder and hyperactivity

Salzburg , Austria

Bessarabierstraße , Salzburg , Austria

At age 12, my grandmother tells me that my father is alive

Bessarabierstraße , Salzburg , Austria

Südtiroler Platz , Salzburg , Austria

At age 14, I follow the example of my siblings and start to take drugs with friends

Südtiroler Platz , Salzburg , Austria

Forum , Salzburg , Austria

At age 14, I am disappointed, I start to steal and drop out of school

Forum , Salzburg , Austria

Bessarabierstraße , Salzburg , Austria

At age 17, I get to know my father and have good conversations with him when I am on ecstasy

Bessarabierstraße , Salzburg , Austria

Taxham , Salzburg , Austria

At age 18, I fall in love with a man who mistreats me and I stab him

Taxham , Salzburg , Austria

Prison Schanzlgasse , Salzburg , Austria

At age 18, after my arrest, I am diagnosed with a personality disorder, drug dependency, and developmental delay, and I am sentenced for negligently causing bodily harm

Prison Schanzlgasse , Salzburg , Austria

At age 19, I go cold turkey while in prison, I get drug substition treatment with morphine and I feel better; the sadness remains

Prison Schanzlgasse , Salzburg , Austria

At age 20, I get clean for the sake of my mother, and relapse after my release from prison

Prison Schanzlgasse , Salzburg , Austria

Between ages 19 and 21, my drug substitution is shifted several times between morphine, methadone, and benzos and I stay depressed

Prison Schanzlgasse , Salzburg , Austria

Pressbaum , Austria

At age 21, I fall in love and want to go into therapy, but instead I am sent to prison for an old sentence related to attempted theft

Pressbaum , Austria

Prison Schanzlgasse , Salzburg , Austria

At age 23, my brother commits suicide; I am not permitted to attend his funeral, I try different forms of therapy in prison and relapse

Prison Schanzlgasse , Salzburg , Austria

Leonhard-von-Keutschach-Straße , Salzburg , Austria

At age 24, I am released from prison

Leonhard-von-Keutschach-Straße , Salzburg , Austria

Prison Schanzlgasse , Salzburg , Austria

At age 25, I learn while in prison that my mother has died, and I lack any kind of attachment figure

Prison Schanzlgasse , Salzburg , Austria

Salzburg , Austria

At age 26, I am homeless and am permitted to sleep at my sister's home. She is my new attachment figure

Salzburg , Austria

At age 26, I sleep in a tent with my new boyfriend

Salzburg , Austria

Alpenstraße , Salzburg , Austria

At age 27, methadone and benzos are not helping enough

Alpenstraße , Salzburg , Austria

Hospital , Salzburg , Austria

At age 28, my father dies

Hospital , Salzburg , Austria

Prison , Hallein , Austria

At age 28, I am convicted for theft, attempted coercion, attempted bodily harm, grievous bodily harm, and obstructing a police officer in the performance of his duty, but will serve my sentence in 2 years’ time