Mother Karen Rogers calls for security cameras in rooms after son sustained unexplained bruises in SA residential care

The mother of a man badly bruised in SA-run residential care says families should have the option to install CCTV in bedrooms.

The mother of a man badly bruised in state-operated residential care has told the Disability Royal Commission families should be allowed to install security cameras in their relatives’ bedrooms.

Karen Rogers said she “picked her battles” with the Department of Human Services (DHS) over the care of her son, Daniel, who lives with intellectual disability and resided in a house with three others for about 15 years.

She had previously raised concerns about her son’s hygiene, clothing, medication and finances and, in October 2018, one week after she made a complaint, she noticed bruising on his arm.

“The bruises were close together and they looked about the size of a forefinger,” she told a hearing on Tuesday.

Daniel, now 40, was found with large bruises so severe he underwent a scan to check for internal bleeding. Picture: Supplied by Karen Rogers/Royal Commission

Then, in February 2019, Daniel, now 40, was found with large bruises so severe he underwent a hospital scan to check for internal bleeding.

Ms Rogers, who gave evidence next to a picture of her son, said she was “horrified” by the injury to Daniel’s back, side and front, and he moved into the family home to ensure his safety.

Police investigated the matter but could not determine what happened to Daniel, who has limited speech and was not able to give a statement.

The family was also told the department would investigate the incident, but on several occasions DHS said it could not ascertain what happened.

Ms Rogers received repeated apologies from a DHS staff member – never from the department itself – and still has no answer about the cause of the injuries.

Ronald Sackville QC is chair of the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability. Picture: Supplied via NCA NewsWire

She said families should be given the option of installing security cameras in the bedrooms of their loved ones.

“If it is between people seeing Daniel naked or seeing Daniel safe in these places, and places being accountable, there is no choice,” she said.

“I think that (the installation) should be done with full discussions with families or the person with the disability, if they are able to agree to that.

“If families have concerns about what’s happening with their child, or their son or their daughter, or their sister or brother or niece or nephew, there must be some way of recording if there are concerns about someone’s safety.”

Under a three-month state government trial that began earlier this year, CCTV cameras have been installed in two southern suburbs supported accommodation homes.

The devices have only being placed in common areas of the homes – not bedrooms – and footage is stored only if an incident is reported.

Human Services Minister Michelle Lensink said the $30,000 pilot was implemented following extensive consultation with clients, families, guardians and staff, and will ascertain whether video could contribute to a greater sense of security while maintaining privacy and dignity.

The Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability is holding a week of hearings in Adelaide.

On Monday, the Commission heard another man, also living with intellectual disability, was threatened with cruelty and violence after his family raised concerns about his care.