A CLUSTER of incidents of sexual abuse and harassment in an acute mental health ward at Bendigo Health has been revealed in a report from the office of the public advocate.
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Eight incidents of sexual harassment or assault took place in August 2019 in Bendigo Health's Adult Acute Inpatient Unit, according to the 2019-20 Community Visitors' annual report.
The report's aim is to identify issues critical to the safety, treatment, care and human rights of vulnerable Victorians who require 24-hour care in state-managed services.
Community Visitors referred this cluster of incidents to the Director of Nursing.
An in-service review led to an improved secure female area, as well as a revised protocol on sexual assault and activity, to raise awareness among staff of best practice and legislation, the report stated.
Bendigo Health's monthly electronic incident report summaries were labelled good practice by the report. It said this allowed Community Visitors to identify trends which they could take up with service management.
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A Bendigo Health spokesperson said the organisation took all incidents involving patients and staff seriously and followed them up appropriately, including with police.
The spokesperson did not comment directly on the incidents referenced in the report.
It is not clear if charges were laid in any of the incidents.
Community Visitors are volunteers with legal authority to visit Victorian a range of residential health services to observe, make inquiries and inspect documents, to make sure residents are being cared for appropriately.
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