Box Hill police: Officer Stuart Deitz saluted for helping defenceless victim
A man with cerebral palsy was repeatedly assaulted by his carer in his own home. The actions of a dedicated policeman meant he was able to see his abuser prosecuted.
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A man who was abused by his disability support worker in his eastern suburbs home saw the culprit brought to justice thanks to one policeman’s patience and dedication.
Cerebral palsy significantly restricts Billy’s* movement and ability to communicate.
So when he was repeatedly assaulted by his carer — who stuck tape over his mouth and threw scrunched up balls of tape at him and laughed — he didn’t report the incidents.
Police found out about them only after another carer working in the house contacted Box Hill police and Senior Constable Stuart Deitz arranged for Billy to visit the station.
He sat with Billy for three hours, establishing what had happened and convincing him to make a statement on the record.
Sen-Constable Deitz said he had never dealt with someone with communication difficulties before, and felt out of his depth, but was determined to see Billy get justice.
“I was so like a duck out of water, I had no idea what I was doing,” he said.
“But I was more than happy to do it, and to really push on with him and help him.”
Sen-Constable Deitz said Billy was distressed by the incidents, having not been able to physically defend himself.
He said Billy no longer felt comfortable at home and was scared about what could happen with future carers.
Sen-Constable Deitz then visited Billy at home to check on him, and ensured he approved of the legal action proposed to be taken against the offender.
The carer, a Mooroolbark woman in her 40s, was charged with common law assault.
Taken before a magistrates’ court, she was not convicted, but was forced to make a donation to Cerebral Palsy Australia, write an apology letter to Billy, and undertake behavioural training.
Sen-Constable Deitz said tackling Billy’s case had been the most rewarding part of his six-year policing career.
“I hang my hat on this one,” he said.
Having always been passionate about sticking up for others’ rights, he said helping Billy be heard really meant a lot to him.
“I get quite emotional talking about it,” he said.
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Sen-Constable Deitz said a special moment was at the end of the hours he spent sitting with Billy, when Billy had said to his carer, “he gets me”.
Sen-Constable Deitz has just been awarded a Divisional Commendation for his initiative and
customer service excellence for his work Billy, and also received
public advocacy award.
Since the case, all officers at Box Hill police station have been trained in how to relate to people with communication difficulties.
The station is Australia’s first to be awarded a Communication Access Symbol by disability provider Scope Australia.
Sen-Constable Deitz said he wanted people with communication difficulties to know they could come to the station and be heard and helped.
*Billy is not the victim’s real name.