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NT royal commission told sexual remarks went unreported until harassment claim Sexual remarks went unreported until harassment claim, inquiry hears
(about 13 hours later)
A male youth justice officer who made sexually inappropriate remarks to juvenile detainees was not reported until he sexually harassed a colleague more than 18 months later, the Northern Territory royal commission has heard.A male youth justice officer who made sexually inappropriate remarks to juvenile detainees was not reported until he sexually harassed a colleague more than 18 months later, the Northern Territory royal commission has heard.
John Fattore, a former acting general manager of the Don Dale youth detention centre and investigator with the professional standards unit, was investigating a sexual harassment claim in 2009 when he was told by staff of other unreported incidents involving the officer and detainees.John Fattore, a former acting general manager of the Don Dale youth detention centre and investigator with the professional standards unit, was investigating a sexual harassment claim in 2009 when he was told by staff of other unreported incidents involving the officer and detainees.
Fattore said the Alice Springs facility’s staff “freely” told him of concerns over the officer’s “flirtatious behaviour” with young female detainees in October 2007, and telling a male detainee he would be allowed to strip search a female detainee in May 2008.Fattore said the Alice Springs facility’s staff “freely” told him of concerns over the officer’s “flirtatious behaviour” with young female detainees in October 2007, and telling a male detainee he would be allowed to strip search a female detainee in May 2008.
Fattore was also told the unnamed officer had made “inappropriate remarks of a sexual nature”, including about the size of a male detainee’s genitals and the “physical attributes of current and previous female detainees … including the comment that they would be ‘legal’”.Fattore was also told the unnamed officer had made “inappropriate remarks of a sexual nature”, including about the size of a male detainee’s genitals and the “physical attributes of current and previous female detainees … including the comment that they would be ‘legal’”.
In February 2009 the officer had also been cautioned about going into female detainees’ rooms alone, counsel assisting the commission Peter Callaghan told the Alice Springs hearing.In February 2009 the officer had also been cautioned about going into female detainees’ rooms alone, counsel assisting the commission Peter Callaghan told the Alice Springs hearing.
Yet it wasn’t until May that year that Fattore, who has worked for the corrections department for 18 years, received any report about the officer, which alleged he physically sexually harassed a colleague.Yet it wasn’t until May that year that Fattore, who has worked for the corrections department for 18 years, received any report about the officer, which alleged he physically sexually harassed a colleague.
Fattore also spoke of another officer who was returned to his role working with children despite at least 18 complaints of inappropriate behaviour between 2003 and 2006, when he was transferred to other duties away from the detainees.Fattore also spoke of another officer who was returned to his role working with children despite at least 18 complaints of inappropriate behaviour between 2003 and 2006, when he was transferred to other duties away from the detainees.
Fattore confirmed he interviewed detainees and learned of “concerns” about the man including that “most of the kids were scared of him” and considered him a “loose cannon”. He had allegedly thrown a chair across a yard at detainees and yelled at them: “Fuck up, you little dickheads.”Fattore confirmed he interviewed detainees and learned of “concerns” about the man including that “most of the kids were scared of him” and considered him a “loose cannon”. He had allegedly thrown a chair across a yard at detainees and yelled at them: “Fuck up, you little dickheads.”
In 2008 the guard, who Callaghan noted was a “keen powerlifter and bodybuilder” and a known associate of a former adult prisoner with drug convictions, was further disciplined for comments about former detainees on the internet.In 2008 the guard, who Callaghan noted was a “keen powerlifter and bodybuilder” and a known associate of a former adult prisoner with drug convictions, was further disciplined for comments about former detainees on the internet.
However, by 2009 he was returned to duties working with detainees, a decision that Fattore said he believed would have been by the former corrections commissioner Ken Middlebrook.However, by 2009 he was returned to duties working with detainees, a decision that Fattore said he believed would have been by the former corrections commissioner Ken Middlebrook.
Fattore also said another Trevor Hansen – who had given evidence earlier on Tuesday – breached protocols when he assisted in the stripping of a teenage girl.Fattore also said another Trevor Hansen – who had given evidence earlier on Tuesday – breached protocols when he assisted in the stripping of a teenage girl.
Hansen had on Monday told the commission it was protocol at the time to remove the clothes of detainees in cell placements because the detainee could self-harm and that he had held the 15-year-old down while a female colleague removed the clothes.Hansen had on Monday told the commission it was protocol at the time to remove the clothes of detainees in cell placements because the detainee could self-harm and that he had held the 15-year-old down while a female colleague removed the clothes.
Fattore said Hansen’s actions had raised concerns and that the stripping of female detainees should be done only by female staff. When asked by Callaghan, Fattore agreed Hansen’s actions constituted a breach for which he was never held accountable.Fattore said Hansen’s actions had raised concerns and that the stripping of female detainees should be done only by female staff. When asked by Callaghan, Fattore agreed Hansen’s actions constituted a breach for which he was never held accountable.
Hansen’s testimony concluded on Tuesday morning, during which he described detainees abusing and threatening him and other officers “as part of daily life”. He said he was repeatedly spat at and that his daughter was threatened, however physically responding to detainees was always a last resort.Hansen’s testimony concluded on Tuesday morning, during which he described detainees abusing and threatening him and other officers “as part of daily life”. He said he was repeatedly spat at and that his daughter was threatened, however physically responding to detainees was always a last resort.
Hansen said he was very aware of the detainees’ needs and wants, and described being on shift the day after a death in custody at Don Dale. “To see the detainees faces, to see the families, the officers, everything that happened after that was traumatic. You wake up pretty quickly to realise what these kids are capable of.”Hansen said he was very aware of the detainees’ needs and wants, and described being on shift the day after a death in custody at Don Dale. “To see the detainees faces, to see the families, the officers, everything that happened after that was traumatic. You wake up pretty quickly to realise what these kids are capable of.”
“I was about five seconds away from losing a detainee in his cell ... That was close, and it does affect you. You’re only a human being no matter what.“I was about five seconds away from losing a detainee in his cell ... That was close, and it does affect you. You’re only a human being no matter what.
“To try and help these kids and not put hands on is the first thing you try and do. To try and talk them through life – they’ve got anger inside of them – and to try and help them.”“To try and help these kids and not put hands on is the first thing you try and do. To try and talk them through life – they’ve got anger inside of them – and to try and help them.”
The commission continues.The commission continues.