In seeking compensation for historic institutional abuse, I was introduced to the role of a Forensic Psychiatrist.
The role was explained to me like this - these professionals bring a specialised understanding of the psychological impact of abuse. They are in place to provide essential insights that can be pivotal in the legal process.
The Forensic Psychiatrist is to conduct a comprehensive assessment to evaluate the psychological and emotional effects of the abuse.
It was made clear to me that’s it not just a routine examination. I should expect a deeply nuanced process that delves into my mental health history, current conditions, and the long-term effects of the trauma I endured.
These assessments hope to establish the connection between the abuse and any resulting mental health conditions, such as PTSD, anxiety, or depression.
In my case, two separate assessments were conducted—one for my legal team and the other for the lawyers representing The Southport School (TSS).
Both assessments are a legislative requirement for my claim, but they served 'slightly' different purposes.
Assessment for My Lawyers
The assessment conducted for my lawyers was aimed at building a strong case to support my claim for compensation. The Forensic Psychiatrist's report provided a detailed account of the psychological harm I've suffered and its direct link to the abuse.
This report outlined the severity of my trauma injuries (as best it could for a 2 hour appointment). It established clear correlations between the sexual abuse and the ongoing impact to my mental stability. The report supported my legal team, so that they could argue for the appropriate level of compensation.
Assessment for TSS's Lawyers
On the other side, an assessment was also carried out for the lawyers representing TSS.
This assessment, or so I was told, is typically requested to provide a balanced view from the perspective of the institution's defence.
This assessment could not have been more different. This 2 hour interaction was focused, primarily, to scrutinise the extent of the psychological harm and potentially challenge the claims made in the assessment provided to my lawyers.
This included rigorous questioning and fact checking of my responses I had provided as part of this claim, confirmation of information contained within my medical & employment history, along with probing questions about my life since leaving TSS.
It became very clear; this assessment was designed to question any causality between the abuse and the mental health conditions. This forensic psychiatrist was assessing my responses to target any other possible factors that may have contributed to my current psychological state.
THE FOLLOWING JUST NEEDED TO BE SAID
Forensic psychiatrist, Jill Reddan (Reddan) was selected by the Anglican Church /TSS’s legal team, to conduct the assessment of the impact of the sexual abuse I suffered as a teenager at the hands of a teacher.
The report Reddan produced failed to be, in anyway, an accurate account of the assessment.
I told Reddan of the events that transpired during my time at that school have haunted me ever since.
I recalled in vivid detail the unspeakable acts committed against me and how the toxic environment allowed one teacher to inflict such unimaginable harm.
I laid bare the shadows that have lingered all these years.
Forever changed by the abuse and unable to forgive those responsible for not only failing to protect me but creating the conditions for it to occur.
I was at the point where I had to unburden myself of these memories lest they consume me entirely.
However, her final report contained no acknowledgment of the depravity I suffered or how it derailed the life I could have led.
Upon bringing this to my legal team's attention and declaring I do not accept this report, I was advised of the following:
The report is only really used and referenced if the matter goes to trial - if that happens this can be revisited
No, I could not request or access the notes Reddan made during the assessment
This is a common practice of Reddan.
It was at this point I realised that my case & many like it are being treated like a 'tick & flick' process
In my opinion, the landscape of mental health care, where vulnerability meets clinical expertise, empathy and understanding cannot be overstated. A disturbing pattern has surfaced from a multitude of patient reviews regarding their interactions with Reddan, a psychiatric professional.
Their shared experiences paint a bleak picture of a healthcare journey marred by a perceived lack of compassion, which can have devastating consequences for those in search of healing.
The comprehensive feedback published online (which is summarised below) indicates an overwhelmingly negative perception. There seems to be an absence of positive testimony related to Reddan’s conduct and character.
A Call Ignored:
In November 2023, a patient implicated in a case of professional misconduct sought evaluation and instead was met with accusations of dishonesty, an ordeal which fortunately did not influence the judicial outcome. However, the emotional toll and the professional's disregard for the patient’s credibility highlights a concerning disregard for the subjective nature of mental health experiences.
A Pattern of Disregard:
A review from October 2023 echoes a similar sentiment. It speaks of a professional more attuned to the needs of legal and insurance entities than to the mental well-being of the individual. The reviewer’s trust was eroded, replaced by feelings of invalidation and neglect.
Clinical Coldness:
An encounter in May 2023 is described as cold and clinical, leaving the patient feeling unseen and unheard—a sentiment that is alarmingly repeated in reviews dating back to 2021. The absence of empathy in such settings can exacerbate the distress of those seeking help, sometimes with tragic outcomes.
The Impact of Indifference:
Reviews detail instances where patients felt demeaned, with one individual left feeling suicidal post-consultation. A professional's indifference can not only invalidate a person's struggle but can also propel them deeper into the abyss of theican notl health crisis.
The Duty of Care Compromised:
The obligation to care for those who cannot advocate for themselves is fundamental to healthcare. Yet, some reviews claim that there was an unsettling alliance between the psychiatrist and entities intent on denying claims, further victimizing the already vulnerable.
Prospective patients are urged to diligently research and seek healthcare professionals who demonstrate genuine empathy and concern.
These reviews, in their entirety can be located on:
In keeping with her characteristic approach, Reddan’s summary and subsequent analysis of our discussion left me quite distressed. A deep-seated apprehension of mine has always been the possibility of my voice going unheard or my experiences disbelieved. The format of Reddan’s report seems to reduce my account to a mere verification process, purely based on my responses to specific inquiries which were formally declared (refer to “5. Navigating my well-rounded Legal Journey - Part II”). Unfortunately, this document fails to acknowledge critical details that I shared about the teacher's misconduct, how I was methodically manipulated, the actions taken against me, and the significant impact of these events, which forced me to adapt and learn to persist by altering my core behaviours. I often wonder about the person I may have been if wasn’t sexually abused by a teacher, that was not employed by TSS, but resided on campus.
I offered comprehensive feedback, stressing that Reddan's account does not accurately reflect our conversation. Even though my concerns were noted, I sensed a certain level of detachment from my legal team regarding my frustration. They clarified that Reddan’s evaluation is unlikely to be a decisive factor during the settlement discussions. However, should the issue advance to legal proceedings, it would undergo much more rigorous examination.
A consistent pattern emerges from these narratives: when it comes to the crossroads of mental health issues and Reddan's involvement, what's fundamentally lacking, in my view, is a touch of genuine empathy and understanding.
And Reddan’s bullshit continues to be called out!!
Original link, read full article here:
SUMMARY
Selesa Tafaifa, a 44-year-old woman, died in November 2021 at the Townsville Women's Correctional Centre in Queensland. Her death, which occurred after a spit hood was placed over her head, led to a two-week coronial inquest focusing on the circumstances of her demise and the use of spit hoods in Queensland jails. During the inquest, vision showing Tafaifa repeatedly asking for her asthma puffer and stating "I can't breathe" was expected to be presented. Body worn and CCTV footage reportedly suggests that her death followed a prolonged period of physical restraint, including the use of handcuffs and a spit hood. Spit hoods are typically utilized in correctional settings to protect officers from being spat on or bitten by inmates.
In the course of the inquest, a forensic psychiatrist, Jill Reddan, who had been asked by the court to prepare a report on Tafaifa's mental health diagnosis, was stood down from giving further evidence. The decision came mid-way through questioning, after a barrister for Tafaifa's family criticised the report for a lack of detail, going as far as to label it "rubbish."
The controversy surrounding Reddan's report and the tragic circumstances of Tafaifa's death highlighted during the inquest shed light on the critical issues within the correctional and psychiatric evaluation processes, raising concerns about the treatment and care of individuals within the correctional system.
Let me break this down as follows:
· Forensic psychiatrist, Jill Reddan – hired by HWL Ebsworth.
· HWL Ebsworth are hired by the Anglican Church.
· The Anglican Church runs TSS.
Don’t Religious schools often aim for their employees and associates to share the institution's religious values??
The revelations from the Royal Commission have been nothing short of staggering. It has become clear that numerous religious institutions, including The Southport School affiliated with the Anglican Church, have, regrettably, employed certain faculty members whose actions are reprehensible and whose personal values starkly contradict the ethical and moral standards upheld by their respective churches.
This one is really just a 'FUCK YOU" to Reddan - thoughts & prayers
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