Nurse allegedly sexually assaulted at aged care facility in Templestowe
A registered nurse has spoken of her harrowing ordeal after she was allegedly sexually assaulted by a colleague while helping an elderly patient at an aged care facility in Templestowe.
Our client, who asked not to be named, was working a shift at Newmans on the Park when the incident took place in April this year.
The nurse was assisting a 90-year-old patient in their room when one of the facility’s employees approached her from behind.
The man then allegedly grabbed her buttocks and crotch, asking “Is it nice? Did you enjoy it?”
The nurse reported the alleged sexual assault to several people within the management team including her supervisor.
She then reported the incident to Victoria Police with the man later arrested. Police are continuing to investigate the matter but have not laid any charges.
The nurse said she was so distraught that she flew home to Malaysia to be with her parents.
“When I returned to Melbourne, all the emotions of fear, anger and anxiety kicked in,” she said.
“I have never been the same. This event has affected my life in so many ways negatively.”
The nurse, who had not returned to work since April, had her WorkSafe claim rejected.
WorkSafe said a claim may be rejected where, based on the available evidence, the connection of the injury to employment is not sufficiently clear, or where there are factual disputes and inconsistencies.
Arnold Thomas and Becker senior legal executive Stuart Coutts said WorkSafe refused to review the matter.
“On top of this, conciliation has been unnecessarily delayed – the application was lodged in early May and a date is yet to be set,” he said.
“In the meantime, she has been left with no income and is ineligible for Centrelink benefits. “She has already been deeply traumatised by what happened to her, and this ordeal is compounded by the message that her experience somehow wasn’t “enough” to justify a claim.
“We recognise the significant toll this has taken on her life.”
Full story at The Herald Sun.
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Have you suffered an injury or been sexually harassed at work? While no amount of money can erase the pain and trauma, you may be entitled to compensation that could help remove the financial burden of your recovery. For more information or to talk to a lawyer, call us on 03 9034 8433.