Creeps
I thought that I should add a word of warning, only because we had a truly awful experience with one of our autistic children a few years back and to be honest, I don't think I'll ever get over the experience. I mean, who would?
As someone from the department said, "If it walks like a duck and talks like a duck, it IS a duck." And the policeman investigating our case of suspected molestation from a carer, was convinced also.
I am now very wary of unfamiliar carers taking out Andrew, who is vulnerable and unable to articulate verbally. I've learnt that police checks only record convictions, so that the community police records detailing suspected abuse/suspects are not cross-referred and don't show up in those checks. I hope the law changes to embrace those other files.
Our son couldn't speak but his behaviour spoke volumes. He has recovered totally which is thanks to us and the wonderful staff in his CRU. Plus, I found out much later that people had observed the carer behaving inappropriately with him - ugh.
I saw that carer, years later, with a group of autistic children and notified the department immediately, who did act. It's such a worry when things sneak under the radar.
There is a new policy (on police checks) being drafted within DHS so I've sent a submission. Current police checks seem inadequate when they only record convictions....they don't cross-check community police records where suspects are named on victim's files. Until they do, the system will continue to leak like a sieve.
Footnote: the policy doesn't seem to have changed and he's still out there working. He probably even has a Working With Children card. I'm such a cynic.
© Debs 2003