Woman raped in Alice Springs Hospital mental health ward by fellow patient

A MENTAL health patient suffering from depression and post-traumatic stress in hospital was callously raped by another patient in an open ward with nurses nearby, a court has heard

The victim told police the ordeal made her feel frozen

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A MENTAL health patient suffering from depression and post-traumatic stress at the Alice Springs Hospital was callously raped by another patient in an open ward with nurses nearby, a court has heard.

Crown prosecutor Glen Dooley told the Alice Springs Supreme Court that despite a complaint being made on the same day, the defendant was not arrested until 20 months after the rape.

“There was some initial scepticism among people at the hospital that this incident had taken place, and it was also prior to any forensic results,” he said.

When police asked how the victim felt, she replied “scared and kind of frozen, I don’t really know why I didn’t cry out to the nurse, I don’t know.”

Defence lawyer Tania Collins said the offending was opportunistic and on the “lower end” of usual rape offences but this was rejected by Acting Justice Dean Mildren.

“No, I don’t accept that. It’s not on the lower end, at all … no means no as far as I’m concerned Ms Collins,” Mr Mildren said.

Kimberley Jackson, 25, pleaded guilty to the rape of the victim in the Supreme Court on Friday.

Both the victim and Jackson were involuntary patients at the mental health unit of the hospital.

At the time of the offending, Jackson approached the victim who was sitting on a couch and repeatedly touched her despite her saying “no”.

Mr Dooley said Jackson told the victim to come to his room.

“In order to halt the defendants actions, the [victim] replied ‘after lunch’. She was thinking to herself this would give her time to tell a nurse what was going on. He persisted and said “no, no we will do it now.”

“At the time of the offence, the mental health unit at the hospital was considered an open ward. All patients were allowed to move freely between the general ward and the high dependency unit”

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After the victim was raped, she spoke to another female patient and told her what happened before police were called.

Around 20 months after the incident, the defendant was extradited from Western Australia and taken back to Alice Springs by detectives and he has been in custody since.

The matter has been adjourned for sentencing.

A spokesperson from the Central Australia Health Service said the high dependency unit is no longer accessible from the general ward.

“Alice Springs Hospital Mental Health Unit protocols have been updated and new procedures have been implemented as a result of this particular case,” they said.

“Locks have been changed on all the bedroom doors. Patients are able to close and lock their doors with entry restricted to staff only.

“Risk assessments are constantly being reviewed to ensure the safety of clients in the Mental Health Unit.”

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