Majella Beattie of advocacy group Care Champions reports that a family is demanding the removal of a resident from a Health Service Executive (HSE) care facility, following inappropriate behaviour towards a non-verbal, physically incapacitated woman. The HSE’s review of the situation uncovered a lack of effective safety protocols in the institution, where the woman was physically violated by another resident.
An investigation into last year’s episode revealed shortcomings in establishing and reviewing safety measures, a failure which dates back to a similar occurrence in 2014.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio’s Morning Ireland, Beattie conveyed the family’s distress. They’re acutely aware of their daughter’s inability to defend herself, relying on others for all means of care. The fact that their daughter was twice violated by the same individual is incredibly hard for them to come to terms with.
The family recognises that the perpetrator, referred to as Resident B, has his own disability and deserves support. However, they strongly feel that their daughter shouldn’t be forced to share a dwelling with the individual who harmed her. They are requesting Resident B’s removal for the safety and well-being of their daughter. The continuous trauma experienced by the victim due to her vulnerability and inability to protect herself is the family’s primary concern.
In 2014, Resident B touched and kissed Resident A without consent. A report from the incident deemed Resident A as extremely susceptible to unwelcome advances from male inhabitants, particularly those with cognitive and executive dysfunctions as a result of acquired brain injuries. The report suggested measures to avert similar future incidents.
Yet, the most recent review discloses that no staff member remembered any discussion on safety plans or any briefing on the 2014 event.
Ann Rabbitte, the State Minister, has voiced dissatisfaction about learning of the incident for the first time through the media.
In a conversation with Morning Ireland on RTÉ radio, Ms. Rabbitte expressed disappointment over being kept in the dark about an incident and a subsequent report concerning it. She mentioned her intention to email HSE and conveyed her shock over knowing about the incident for the first time. She empathised with the distress faced by the families of Resident A and B, and reflected on the recurrence of such events in the past. She credited Bernard Gloster for prioritising safeguarding, given the past incidents. She believed there was a failure or breakdown of procedures in this specific case. Ms. Rabbitte stressed on the importance of building a safeguarding culture, enhancing its visibility, and improving understanding of it within the care system managed by the State.