Case Studies
Obtaining support services…a positive outcome
Celia is 36 years of age and has an intellectual disability. She lives with her elderly parents who are both from a non-English speaking background. Celia was charged with a string of offences including use carriage service so as to harass x 21, falsely represent to police x 8, assault police x 4, and resist arrest x 2.
Celia had used a mobile phone to make the prank calls to emergency services. Police charged her with offences relating to prank calls and confiscated her mobile phone. It was a condition of bail that she not possess a mobile phone.
Celia had previously entered into a two year phone contract to purchase the mobile phone that was confiscated and was paying approximately a quarter of her income towards the phone contract. She was anxious that she was paying money for a phone she no longer had. Celia was upset and in her mind she felt entitled to telephone the local police station to demand for her phone back. When she telephoned the police she was not able to verbalise herself so she remained silent during the calls. Each time she would call she was subsequently charged again and again. During some of the arrests upon Celia, she put up a struggle and was consequently charged with assault police and resist arrest.
IDRS was able to utilise the Behavioural Intervention Services of ADHC. A section 32 application was made on Celia’s behalf. A support plan was established with Celia to assist her to deal with her frustrations in more acceptable ways. Evidence was called from ADHC forensic case workers about the why Celia offended and alternatives to gaol were proposed. Prior to ADHC involvement Celia had been extremely isolated in the community and had been victim to a considerable about of emotional abuse from both her father and partner.
The charges were dismissed conditionally under section 32. Since then she has been able to obtain permanent employment. A large part of the plan involved her participating in the community. Celia now attends TAFE, is learning to read a write, uses computers, has started fitness programs and has a large number of friends and social supports. She has remained offences free for nearly four years.
Internal Appeal of ADHC Ineligibility Progress as a reason for further section 32s