The use of involuntary seclusion and restraint in all forms are an everyday occurrence, particularly in Australia’s public acute inpatient facilities.272 (See also Article 14). These practices underpin a culture of exploitation, violence and abuse.
Women with psychosocial disability are exposed to greater risks of exploitation, violence and abuse, particularly sexual violence when there is no provision for female only areas in mental health inpatient units.273 It is estimated that between 50 percent and 70 percent of women with psychosocial disability have experienced past physical or sexual abuse, including child sexual assault, and many of these women are likely to be re-traumatised by their experience in mixed mental health facilities.274
Case Study
A mental health service has been accused of covering up sexual assaults, including an incident in which a male nurse allegedly kissed and fondled a patient and tried to pressure her into performing oral sex. Complaints have also come from former patients and their relatives about the handling of sexual assaults that allegedly occurred at the service and other mental health facilities over the past decade. These included an alleged rape of a 21 year old woman by a male patient and another sexual assault of a 15 year old girl. In each instance the women were discouraged from reporting the matter to police.275
