Dear Editor
Yesterday, I had an incredibly harrowing experience at the High Court.
The torrential rain made it nearly impossible to conduct any business, and I found myself sprinting from one building to another, completely drenched.
However, that wasn’t the most unexpected part of my day.
I needed to use the restroom, so I hurried in the direction indicated by a police officer and swiftly pushed open the door labeled “women.”
I was just about to use the bathroom when I realized there was no toilet paper.
Hastily pulling everything back up, I moved to the next stall, only to find the same situation. I tried the following stalls with no luck – there was absolutely no toilet paper to be found.
Desperation forced me to take a chance and dash into the men’s bathroom, fearing that I might encounter a man. It was the same story in there, no toilet paper.
At this point, I was struggling to hold it together, trying not to make a mess on the floor of the High Court.
Returning to the front desk, I inquired about the lack of toilet paper and was simply told, “That’s just the way things are, ma’am.”
It was incredulous. Should women always carry their own toilet paper if they visit the Magistrate’s Court? Or should we risk not being able to clean up after using the restroom?
After approaching the “Operations Division” and requesting toilet paper, a woman behind the desk nonchalantly slid an almost empty roll under the window, barely acknowledging my desperate plea.
I contemplated returning the roll, but the urgency of the situation didn’t allow for it.
I had no choice but to use what little toilet paper I’d been given. This should never be the experience of anyone using the facilities at the High Court.
I implore the Justice Department to address this issue.
Even some private work places in town have similar situations. Staff have bring their own toilet papers and paper towels.