CITIZENS COMMISSION ON HUMAN RIGHTS NEW ZEALAND

Established internationally in 1969 by the Church of Scientology to investigate and expose psychiatric violations of human rights

Urgent action called into staff sexual abuse of woman in State facility

Mental health watchdog, the Citizens Commission on Human Rights is appalled at the lack of action in referring the sexual abuse allegations of a young woman in state care to the Police.

A 24 year old patient of the Te Awhina Mental Health Unit in Whanganui last night turned to the media about being sexually violated by two staff members.

Commission Director, Mr Steve Green stated “this is not just a violation of human rights these are serious criminal allegations made against staff of a State-run mental health facility.

“It should be standard practice in the care and safety of mental health patients that these allegations are brought to the attention of the authorities as soon as they are found.”

“The DHB reaction to these events by placing a full page advertisement in the newspaper is an indictment of patients’ rights.”

The Commission is calling for action, asking the Minister of Health to issue an urgent directive to all DHBs where instances of sexual abuse or other criminal allegations are referred directly to Police. “This should be standard practice alongside any other investigations that may be conducted.”

Green says “It is very important that people in mental health care are afforded the same rights, if not more than that of the general population. The fact that the accused are no longer employed by the hospital is no excuse for inaction in such serious circumstances.

That this patient and her parents turned to the media to get action and make their own complaints to the Police indicates much greater problems exist in mental health. Steps should also be taken by the Ministry to broadly investigate other DHBs regarding allegations of patient ill treatment. The public need to be assured of patient safety is paramount within our mental health system both in the public and private sectors.

Another patient of the same unit has been removed by her brother, disgusted at the lack of care of his sister. She is suffering extensive injuries after leaving the Te Awhina Unit in January.

The Citizens Commission on Human Rights has been assisting victims of mental health abuse in New Zealand for over 30 years, including uncovering the abuses on young children at the infamous Lake Alice Hospital in the late 1970s. Almost 200 of these victims have been paid $13 million in compensation and officially apologised by the NZ government. This is now part of their report to the United Nations Committee Against Torture covering the use of painful drugs and shocks to children in State care and allegations of torture and/or cruel, inhuman or degrading treatment or punishment.
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