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Legislative Council - Fifty-Fourth Parliament, Second Session (54-2)
2020-09-09 Daily Xml
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Disability Services

The Hon. K.J. MAHER (Leader of the Opposition) (14:22): I seek leave to make a brief explanation before asking a question of the Minister for Human Services regarding disability care.

Leave granted.

The Hon. K.J. MAHER: It was first reported in August that an employee of the minister's department had been charged with sexually assaulting people in their care. We understand today in court a person is appearing who is charged with the sexual assault of two people who live under the care of the Department of Human Services. We further understand that the Department of Human Services did not attend court today to offer any support to the families of these new victims. My questions for the minister are:

1. Can the minister assure the chamber that all employees of the Department of Human Services are fully cooperating with this investigation?

2. Was the alleged offender rostered on a shift where they were the only person on duty, and how many other facilities or homes has the offender worked at?

3. Why were no DHS staff in court today to offer support to victims or their families?

The Hon. J.M.A. LENSINK (Minister for Human Services) (14:23): I can outline in relation to this particular case that the alleged incidents occurred on 7 August. On 9 August, disclosures were made to the Department of Human Services staff which were immediately reported to SAPOL. A critical incident was declared. I was notified on that day by telephone, even though it was on a weekend. The employee was contacted and was directed, as is standard practice, not to return to the workplace—and directed not to return. The arrest took place that evening by SAPOL.

On Monday 10 August, SAPOL notified the department of the arrest of the worker and the employee's screening was revoked. The employee appeared in court today but I understand is no longer an employee of the department. All of the residents of our services have been contacted, in line with the Debelle protocols. That involved an extensive communication to the immediate fellow residents, but also across the accommodation services, to ensure that everybody was aware of this situation.

A phone service has been established for family members and guardians who have any concerns. DHS is fully cooperating with SAPOL. The Quality and Safeguards Commission has also been notified and the advice that I have also received is that as this matter is before the courts I can't provide any further details.

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