❓ A parliamentary question regarding an alleged rape in a psychiatric hospital and the subsequent handling of the situation. The Minister denies the rape allegation and states appropriate protocols were followed.
AnsweredQoN 676Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
MENTAL HEALTH — ALLEGED PSYCHIATRIC HOSPITAL ATTACK
676. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH to
the Minister for Mental Health:
I refer to the article reported in The Weekend West on Saturday, 21 June 2014, titled ''Rapist 'held
on victim's ward''', which states —
A 63-year-old female patient at a
Perth psychiatric hospital was allegedly raped by a fellow patient and then
kept on the same ward as him after the attack �
The Weekend West understands hospital staff walked in on the woman
being sexually assaulted by the male patient in a locked ward on April 24,
after which the woman needed urgent treatment.
Despite the woman being left in a
mute and catatonic state by the attack, authorities kept her on the same ward
as the man with one-on-one supervision.
(1) Why was
the 63-year-old female patient who was allegedly raped by a fellow patient and
who was left in a mute and catatonic state by the attack kept on the same ward
as her attacker following the attack?
(2) What was
the urgent treatment required by the woman following the attack?
(3) Was the matter reported to the police; and, if so, when
and by whom?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
676. Hon LJILJANNA RAVLICH to
the Minister for Mental Health:
I refer to the article reported in The Weekend West on Saturday, 21 June 2014, titled ''Rapist 'held
on victim's ward''', which states —
A 63-year-old female patient at a
Perth psychiatric hospital was allegedly raped by a fellow patient and then
kept on the same ward as him after the attack �
The Weekend West understands hospital staff walked in on the woman
being sexually assaulted by the male patient in a locked ward on April 24,
after which the woman needed urgent treatment.
Despite the woman being left in a
mute and catatonic state by the attack, authorities kept her on the same ward
as the man with one-on-one supervision.
(1) Why was
the 63-year-old female patient who was allegedly raped by a fellow patient and
who was left in a mute and catatonic state by the attack kept on the same ward
as her attacker following the attack?
(2) What was
the urgent treatment required by the woman following the attack?
(3) Was the matter reported to the police; and, if so, when
and by whom?
(4) If no to (3), why not?
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of the question.
(1)–(4)
I understand the reporting of this case and the details portrayed in the
article were very concerning. However, this case was misrepresented in the
article as there were no allegations of rape by either patient or guardian and,
accordingly, was not reported to the police. The Chief Psychiatrist was
involved in looking into the incident when it occurred and has advised me that
he was satisfied appropriate protocols were adhered to following the alleged
incident.
(1)–(4)
I understand the reporting of this case and the details portrayed in the
article were very concerning. However, this case was misrepresented in the
article as there were no allegations of rape by either patient or guardian and,
accordingly, was not reported to the police. The Chief Psychiatrist was
involved in looking into the incident when it occurred and has advised me that
he was satisfied appropriate protocols were adhered to following the alleged
incident.
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