Warning issued for female doctors as sex offender singles out medics

FEMALE doctors have been warned to expect this phone call from a convicted paedophile from Victoria’s notorious ‘Village of the Damned’.

The Village of the Damned, otherwise known as Corella Place, Ararat, is home to some of Victoria’s worst sex offenders. Source: News Corp Australia

FEMALE doctors are being targeted by a convicted sex offender — prompting a stark warning from the Australian Medical Association.

It says GPs in suburban Melbourne are being put at risk of “dangerous and unacceptable situations” by the predator making appointments only with women.

The association already issued warnings for the convicted criminal in August and again early in December after “several” GPs had appointments with the man.

“AMA Victoria has been contacted by some of our GP members who work in Melbourne’s northern suburbs,” said Dr Lorraine Baker, President of AMA Victoria in a statement.

“We understand that several female GPs have been exposed to unacceptable behaviours by a particular male patient.

Corella Place has been called the "Village of the Damned". Source: News Corp Australia

“This person specifically requests to see female GPs. It is alleged that this person has a sexual offence record. The police have been informed, but appear limited in their powers to assist.” Dr Baker says GP clinics are usually be considered “very safe places” to work, however there was a danger in one-on-one appointments.

In August, AMA Victoria warned members of the 40-year-old requesting to see only female GPs.

“The male usually rings and says: ‘Dr X has seen me in the past and can I make another appointment to see her’,” the warning read.

“VILLAGE OF THE DAMNED”

According to AAP reports, the predator lives in Corella Place, a sex offender facility at Ararat run by Corrections Victoria.

It is Victoria’s most notorious paedophile prison — which has been labelled by some as the “Village of the Damned”.

In Victoria, those deemed by authorities to pose an unacceptable risk to the community are placed on orders under the state’s Serious Sex Offenders Monitoring Act and driven directly from prison in Ararat, to the nearby compound. It is home to more than 55 residents.

Those ordered to live there are required to attend mandatory counselling sessions and take part in rehabilitation programs.

Notorious residents at the facility, which was established under the supervision scheme in 2005, have included Robin Fletcher and child rapist Andrew Darling.

A resident of the so-called Village of the Damned, from where a convicted sex offender has escaped.

A Corrections Victoria spokeswoman told AAP the department closely managed offenders on post-sentence supervision orders, whose conditions are set by the courts.

“This is a civil scheme for individuals who have completed their time in jail and would otherwise be in the community with no supervision at all,” she said in a statement.

“The management of serious sex offenders has been strengthened in recent years, with police and Corrections Victoria given stronger powers to manage offenders in the community.

“Work is currently underway to implement reforms to the post-sentence regimen which will provide even greater protection for the community from our most serious offenders.”

Dr Baker added: “We recognise that the Victorian Government is committed to stopping hospital violence and improving patient safety — but there appears to be limited help for GPs in regard to safety and support, as most general practices cannot afford full time security personnel.”

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