Skip to main content

Disability Community Beware!

 TRIGGER/CONTENT WARNING: The following content may include triggers for sexual assault survivors and is only suitable for people over 15 years of age. 

It is a disturbing fact that 85% of people with disabilities experience abuse in their lifetime. So when I was sent an article about a sexual assault counsellor accused of sexual misconduct with a client, who then was able to get a position with NDIS participants I was outraged. 

When the Geelong Sexual Assault & Family Violence (SAFV) Centre counsellor was suspended from counselling because of sexual misconduct with a client he went on to work with NDIS participants. 

According to the news.com.au article the man at the centre of the story groomed a client from 2018 to 2020. So I ask you how does this man get a position where he then has responsibilities for people with disabilities?

Many people with disabilities are already vulnerable with most cases of abuse happening with the perpetrators being the primary carers. 

When you are dealing with people with disabilities you are dealing with many people who are nonverbal, have cognitive impairments, or neurodiverse disabilities such as autism. Which means they can often have difficulty with social boundaries and recognising social cues.

Surely before employing this man to work with NDIS participants you would check his previous work history and the suspension would be a huge red flag?

We are in the 21st century and we are all about equality and respect, so surely we have come far enough that the words about protecting people with disabilities are more than just words?

But not only did this man get to work with people with disabilities he then left the agency and went to work for an indigenous co-op. 

So this type of thing does not happen anymore, share the link to the article below with everyone you know because we need to get rid of predators like this not just from the disability community but from society as a whole. I would usually end my post with a poem but this is not a poetic topic and all I ask is that we all beware. 


Article can be found here:

https://www.news.com.au/lifestyle/real-life/news-life/sinister-way-sexual-assault-counsellor-greg-jackman-groomed-patient/news-story/27a1b3aa461b9f27c9d83a38daa7286f

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

More Than Politics

 Every election our vote is about more than politics; it says I am part of this nation and my voice will be heard.  This election is about Team Australia. Which leader has a plan to build Australia's future and who wants to divide us? This election is about more than politics; it is about stable leadership. It is about aiming high, looking forward, and thinking big.  My life has been about disability rights. I am living proof that disability rights is more than politics and this election people with disabilities' votes matter.  If I was American I would die. Medicare is the envy of the world. No less than two American presidents have tried to bring in an Australian Medicare style system. Universal healthcare is a human right.  All leaders have been saying that we live in uncertain times and as a result, thinking about acting in Australia's defence becomes about more than politics. We need to make Australia impenetrable to anyone that wishes to do us harm. We nee...

Sexuality Through the Ages

 It is twenty years this year since I was first approached by the School of Occupational Therapy to speak on the topic of transition to adulthood, disability, and sexuality. Since that time I have expanded to deliver disability education across Australia and yet disability and sexuality is still the most common topic I get asked to speak on.  With this in mind I am going to shock you all by saying I wish I had never had to speak on the topic. Sexuality is such a fundamental part of life that from the teenage years till death it should be assumed that anyone engaged in helping a human being with the occupation of life should automatically include the topic of sexuality.  Society has conflicting views when it comes to talking about and expressing sexuality. Add the word disability into the mix and people tend to run away or shut their eyes.  I started my sexual life like all young people by going through puberty. In the mid-nineties the environmental factors and condit...

Lights! Camera! Rhyme Time!

Chris Van Ingen and William McInnes on set of Rhyme Time Photo credit: Charlie Kinross  For regular readers of this blog it is no secret that acting is my life, and my life is acting. I can now share with you a joyful experience I had shooting a film called Rhyme Time . Rhyme Time  is a thought provoking, sweet comedy about an old school librarian coming to terms with an ever changing modern world.  Throughout my career I have been lucky enough to be billed alongside great casts such as Rachel Griffiths, Claudia Karvan, and Matt Nable to name a few.  Rhyme Time continues my blessed luck working with Australian legends such as William McInnes from Blue Heelers , Sea Change , and NCIS Sydney fame. William is joined by Emily Havea best known for her work in Wentworth . The cast was rounded out by an amazing group of adorable and rambunctious children that completely stole the show and made the final act of the film one of the sweetest things I've ever seen. Lastly I ha...