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"Unfair"

About: Family Services (RUAH)

(as a friend),

So there was this resident who in my opinion, got treated like a princess while the other residents where treated differently. I believe she threatened 2 of us, got 2 unsupported nights out and she never got kicked out. They gave her first and final warning when she threatened us and not when she had an unsupported night out (the unsupported night happened before the incident). I feel that that's not fair, they always gave her washing powder, but when we ask we get told that we have to buy our own. She also had the staff cooking and cleaning up after her, but we had to cook our own meals and clean up after ourselves. They say that our curfew is at 10pm but she was allowed back in 15mins to 11pm and was never given a warning or got kicked out. Why is the staff favouring residents when we should be treated equally and fairly? Why do we get treated differently? Why was she allowed to have food brought out to her when we have to buy our own food? When we voiced our concerns the staff brushed it under the carpet until the 5th-8th complaint was made. When the staff member was asked why the resident was allowed back in after 10pm, they said - aw we forgot to tell you that the dealine is 11pm. How is that so when they should of told me from the day I got there and not weeks later? Stop favouring certain residents and start treating everyone fairly and equally!

I feel that all of this has made my friend start thinking suicidal because she has been treated unfairly her whole life and to get the same treatment from the people who she thought she could trust!  Now she has lost all trust in the staff and wishes to die and her depression has hit her hardly. I thought women were supposed to empower one another not make them feel uncomfortable. 

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Responses

Response from Lee Lombardi, RUAH Community Services 5 years ago
Lee Lombardi
RUAH Community Services
Submitted on 4/04/2019 at 2:26 PM
Published on Care Opinion at 2:27 PM


Dear 09745562

The refuge provides crisis accommodation and support to single Aboriginal women who are escaping family and domestic violence.

In services where there are risk concerns like for the women that seek refuge support, but other services at Ruah as well, it is important that we have clear guidelines for staff and those seeking Ruah’s support. It is not uncommon though that due to the unique circumstances by which people come to the refuge that there are times and sometimes for the same person a number of times where it is necessary to change the way we do things. For example, meals prepared late and by staff for women due to just having been released from hospital late in the night, changes in curfew are often prearranged but without knowing that it would appear that the curfew is being breached.

This may come across as “Unfair” I understand that. Please accept Ruah’s apology in not conveying enough information regarding changes that may happen in the way a service runs.

I would be happy to discuss this further with you if you would like to call me on 6189 3121.

Regards

Lee

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