TWO City of Greater Bendigo councillors will be questioned about why they tried to coax a woman with disabilities from a dance floor during a recent community celebration in Hargreaves Mall.

Amicus, an organisation that provides services for people with disabilities, has written to mayor Lisa Ruffell raising concerns about the actions of councillors Elise Chapman and Helen Leach during the cultural week celebration in March.

The young woman with Down syndrome started dancing to African-American drummers, and was encouraged by the crowd to enjoy the moment.

However, Cr Chapman tried to coax the woman from where she was, yesterday admitting she told her to “come here, come here’’.

“Out of nowhere this lady dressed in black, who clearly looked... I don’t know how to say it nicely... she clearly was, how do you describe it? Anyway, this lady gets up and starts dancing,’’ Cr Chapman said.

“Before you knew it, it was like being at a strip bar – she was gyrating her backside and front side in front of everyone.

“I thought, ‘how do I stop this, she is embarrassing herself’.

“I stood to the side and waved to get her off the stage.

“She got worse and worse – and she wasn’t a small lady, her clothes were really tight.’’

Cr Chapman said she spoke to someone she believed was an organiser at the event, who then spoke to the woman’s carer.

“The minder had a meltdown,’’ she said. “She cut loose – she was screaming at me from one end of the mall to the other.

“I’m being accused of being rude and disrespectful to a disabled girl who was humiliating herself – she was disrespecting herself and her carer was enabling it.

“I have done nothing wrong and I am absolutely furious about this.

“I was the only one trying to protect her, along with Cr Leach.’’

Cr Chapman said Cr Leach walked away from the event because she “felt sorry for the lady’’ and felt powerless to stop her.

Cr Leach declined to comment because she said she was seeking legal advice.

Amicus service co-ordinator and acting executive officer Shayne Scott yesterday issued a statement, reading: “Amicus did formally raise concerns with council and is currently working closely with Lisa Ruffell to use this as an opportunity to raise the awareness and understanding of the councillors involved.

“Lisa is to be commended for her prompt and committed response to address the concerns raised.’’ 

Cr Ruffell said she had twice met Amicus and Bendigo Community Health representatives and would arrange for the two councillors to meet the woman’s carers.

“I have apologised on behalf of our organisation,’’ she said. “We believe everyone is entitled to participate in community events and should be treated with dignity and respect.’’