The following letter was written by Colleen Pearce, Public Advocate, and published in the Age:

Dear Sir

RE: WOMEN IN MENTAL WARDS FACE GRAVE RISK OF ABUSE

Well done to The Age for covering risk issues faced by women in mental health units.

The Community Visitors Program of my Office can confirm the nature of the findings reported (12/5, Women in mental wards face grave risk of abuse).

Women who are unwell have contacted my office and Community Visitors saying they are frightened and concerned about abuse and harassment on mixed wards. They have also dealt with a case where a female patient was assaulted by a male staff member.

The situation is exacerbated when high needs patients are treated on the same ward as patients needing less intensive care because there are not enough high care beds. Women at their most vulnerable point are facing further trauma by this practice and it is one of the reasons why the Community Visitors Mental Health Board called for more high care beds in its last Annual Report.

My office calls on the Government to ensure all women needing mental health services feel safe by providing specific services for women..

Yours sincerely

COLLEEN PEARCE

Public Advocate