Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697643386718.pdf (Australia)
Dear Sir/Madam, I have just become aware of the current inquiry and wish to make the following submission with respect to my experiences of people directly or indirectly affected by violence, abuse and neglect perpetrated against people with disability in institutional and residential settings.
I am a former NSW Police Officer and currently employed by Ageing, Disability and Home Care (ADHC/FACS) and have spent the last seven years as a "House Manager" of Group Homes for people with disabilities in the Port Macquarie area.
I wish to advise that I have witnessed and reported, together with numerous parents and carers, incidences of suicide, violence, abuse and neglect including physical violence and abuse, psychological and emotional harm and abuse, constraints and restrictive practices, forced treatments and interventions, humiliation and harassment, financial abuse, violations of privacy, systemic abuse, physical and emotional neglect and wilful deprivation.
I have also identified and reported to management the systemic workforce issues contributing to the violence and lack of care, with no real result other than to be ostracised and "set-up" with false allegations that were subsequently unfounded.

The attached letter of complaint (not an exhaustive list of incidences) to ADHC (FACS) management outlines my experiences whereupon a protracted external investigation (paid for by FACS) failed to effect any real change in the toxic environment of Group Homes.
The matters were effectively "swept under the carpet" yet again.

I remain off work on Leave Without Pay with symptoms of depression and anxiety as a result of my experiences and inability to have the Department recognise the issues exposed by myself and parents of the residents of the Group Homes.
Also attached is a letter from one parent (there are many others to voice their experiences) who, after having no response from ADHC/FACS management re her concerns for her profoundly disabled and non verbal child, wrote to the NSW Ombudsman, the Australian Human Rights Commission and her local Member of Parliament, only to have her complaint/s referred back to ADHC/FACS for management to report to the complainant.

Again, without action.


This parent has subsequently succumbed to anxiety and depression as a result and has been hospitalised.

As you are no doubt finding as a result of the current inquiry, the impact of violence, abuse and neglect on people with disability, their families, advocates, support persons, current and former staff is far reaching and very real.
The services received by people with disabilities in Group Homes is substandard and I can assure that no parent would be pleased to know of the lack of quality of care to which these innocent and vulnerable people are subjected.

Indeed, ADHC/FACS management enforce secrecy, intimidate and bully those that wish to speak out.
I have personal experience of this culture as I am considered a whistleblower and have been told by management that I am not to return to the Group Home I once managed, despite pleas from the parents for my return.

accept my chances of returning to work are negligible.

One Staff member reported incidences of breaches of Duty of Care to management and was removed from the Group Home and subsequently "micro-managed" in the local office for his troubles.
This Staff member completed suicide shortly afterwards as he was "not being listened to".

Other Staff have attempted and contemplate suicide under this management.

Such is the toxicity of the Group Home work environment and the lengths management are prepared to go to keep this from the public.

In making my submission, I am grateful for your time in reading this lengthy account.
I advise that I am available to appear as a witness at a Committee Public Hearing and/or provide further information should you wish.

Faithfully, Steve Jenkins Violence, abuse and neglect against people with disability in institutional and residential settings, including thegender and age related dimensions, and the particular situation of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people withdisability, and culturally and linguistically diverse people with disabilitySubmission 150