Today the Royal Commission has published a Commissioners’ report on Public hearing 17, which examines a case study about Niky*, who was sexually assaulted while attending a Respite Centre run by Anglicare in Southern Queensland.
The report makes six findings, including that Anglicare:
did not conduct a comprehensive internal investigation.
failed to follow relevant procedures and policies in relation to mandatory reporting of a suspected crime to the Queensland Police Service.
Anglicare has accepted the six findings proposed by Counsel Assisting about what happened to Niky.
The report makes two recommendations, that Anglicare:
consult with Niky and her parents about any further redress, in addition to its written and verbal apologies.
take immediate action to review its incident and complaint management and investigation systems in order to address gaps in the organisation’s approach to responding to allegations of sexual violence and abuse.
Anglicare Southern Queensland’s submission to the Royal Commission, dated 2 March 2023, states:
“Anglicare acknowledges that its actions in relation to the ‘Niky Case Study’ departed from standard practice and its own policies and procedures. Anglicare recognises that it can and should do better going forward in order to ensure it is able to provide safe, high quality services.”
“Anglicare apologises unreservedly to ‘Niky’ and her family.”
The Commissioners’ report concludes that Anglicare failed to adopt a trauma-informed approach when dealing with Niky and her family, and failed address the harm she experienced.
Public hearing 17 was held in two parts across 2021 and 2022, and focused on the experience of women and girls with disability with a particular focus on family, domestic and sexual violence.
