Cairns support worker makes indecent assault claims against client

Police are investigating claims a NDIS recipient is using the disability networking app like its Tinder to target women support workers for the purpose of sexual gratification.

Support worker Tabitha Darmanin faced sexually inappropriate comments while working with a client. She is frustrated at the lack of options to report and stop inappropriate behaviour in the disability sector. Picture: Brendan Radke

Police are investigating claims an Cairns NDIS recipient is using the disability networking app Mable, like its Tinder, to target women support workers for the purpose of sexual gratification.

Police have confirmed officers are investigating a report of an indecent assault which allegedly occurred between April 30 and May 1 this year.

Independent disability support worker Tabitha Darmanin said she made a complaint to police about her former client after being left with nowhere else to turn.

Ms Darmanin alleges the man for a time used a Cairns Facebook page to make contact with workers before switching to the use of Mable after getting banned from the group.

“He uses a disability support app like Tinder to lure workers,” Ms Darmanin said.

“He is picking his target age bracket of women and he’s is using the NDIS to pick up women.”

A message from the man to the support worker.

Mable is the disability and aged care industry equivalent of the construction industry’s Hipages.

Clients in need of support can browse profiles of workers based on gender, location and if the care of children is required.

Clicking into the profile of workers, who are registered sole traders, reveals their availability, immunisation status, pay rates, experience and what services they can deliver as well as personal interests, work history and a personality description.

While police checks, working with children checks and reference checks apply to workers no such vetting is applied to clients accessing services through the site.

There are also no checks required of clients posting ads on the site.

At the core of Ms Darmanin’s issue is a frustration at a lack of options to report and stop inappropriate behaviour in the disability sector and claims there are few safeguards in place to protect workers.

Another of the many messages sent by the NDIS recipient.

The response from the worker.

“There’s no safeguard for us at all,” she said.

“I’m sure that there are other people who feel unsafe but there is no one to turn to, it’s ridiculous and we’re vulnerable.”

The support worker still grappling with the incident and claims the client whose name has been withheld for legal reasons, was volatile, aggressive, manipulative, and unpredictable

“He made me shave his entire body including his genitalia,” Ms Darmanin said.

“He asked me to give him a massage and he jumped on the table with no clothes on.

“He kept slapping me on the butt and he asked me if I had a strap-on dildo and stuff that has nothing to do with his disability.

Tabitha Darmanin is frustrated at the lack of options to report and stop inappropriate behaviour in the disability sector. Picture: Brendan Radke

“He crossed the line, and I’m honestly worried about other women getting put in the same position.”

In messages to Ms Darmanin seen by the Cairns Post the man goes even further and makes violent threats.

According to police initial information reported to officers indicated that a woman was inappropriately touched by a man known to her, however no charges have been laid.

Tabitha Darmanin's profile on disability support app Mable.

In a statement a Mable spokeswoman said when staff became aware that the participant in question had a criminal record in breach of the terms of use agreement he was removed from platform.

“Our utmost priority is the safety of clients and support workers on the Mable platform,” she said.

“Like all providers, Mable is guided by the NDIS on participant verification, funding suitability, and positions on justice. However, all platform users must abide by our terms of use, including provisions around criminal offences and history.”

Police investigations into the allegations are continuing.

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Originally published as Cairns support worker makes indecent assault claims against client