25 incidents in state-run disability homes referred to SA Police since 2018, new data shows

Allegations of rape, assault and serious neglect are among incidents in state-run disability homes reported to police since 2018.

Twenty-five incidents involving residents in state-run disability homes have been referred to SA Police since 2018, including allegations of rape, assault and serious neglect, new data shows.

Among the most concerning are seven sexual assault incidents and an occasion when a client sexually assaulted a member of the public while in the care of a support worker.

The government revealed that CCTV cameras would be installed in at least five additional homes, after no significant incidents were captured during an initial three-month trial.

Department for Human Services figures reveal there were 36 critical client incidents (CCIs) between March 2018, when the Liberals came to government, and June of this year.

The SA government says CCTV will be rolled out in more homes. Picture: iStock

Some were investigated internally by the department’s incident management unit without the need for police involvement, and some investigated by police did not result in criminal charges.

The figures are an improvement on 2017, when 37 incidents were recorded in a single year, and the 17 reported in 2016.

The most recent incident included in the data occurred in April this year, when a staff member allegedly pushed over a client while he was in the shower.

Days earlier, a worker allegedly squeezed the breast of a client on two occasions. Police are still investigating the circumstances of the incident.

Of the 36 CCIs, 16 related to alleged assaults by staff on clients, and nine related to alleged assaults by clients on staff or fellow clients.

Seven incidents involved external providers, not the department, while four related to agency staff.

Five incidents are still classed as “open” because of an ongoing police investigation or unfinished court proceedings, including the rape allegation due to be heard in a District Court trial.

Minister for Human Services Michelle Lensink. Picture: David Mariuz

Two incident reports related to circumstances surrounding the deaths of clients, and another four reports were made in relation to unexplained injuries such as bruising and bone fractures.

Human Services Minister Michelle Lensink said the government has implemented several measures to safeguard the 500 residents of state-run disability homes, including the CCTV trial, new policies, increased education and the recruitment of a team of quality and safeguarding officers.

Ms Lensink said that not only do CCTV cameras act as a potential deterrent, their use has the potential to add an additional layer of safety and security for people living with disability, as well as for staff.

The initial trial was rolled out to two southern suburbs homes that accommodate 10 clients.

Ms Lensink said the expansion of the CCTV pilot program would further protect clients.

“Any abuse or neglect against vulnerable South Australians is unacceptable and the safety and wellbeing of our clients and staff is our priority,” she said.

Ms Lensink said the government has also lowered the threshold of what is classified as a CCI, which triggers an alert to the Minister.

Under the new policy, incidents of inappropriate physical contact are reported even when injuries have not been sustained.