A 60 Minutes investigation has uncovered shocking footage of the mistreatment of Lee-Anne, a woman who is not cognitively impaired, by her carers Lisa Wilson, Monika Paniczko, and Anastasia Moutsos over an 18-month period between 2019 and 2020. The videos show Wilson sticking her finger and a cylinder into Lee-Anne’s mouth for her amusement, as well as Paniczko apparently spitting and breathing on her. NDIS Minister Bill Shorten has expressed outrage at the behavior of the carers and has vowed to try to implement life bans to prevent them from working with vulnerable individuals under the scheme.
Scope, a not-for-profit provider of disability services in Victoria and NSW, has been under scrutiny following the release of the footage. Minister Shorten has reached out to Lee-Anne’s parents to offer support. In October 2020, Scope reported the abuse to Victoria Police after receiving CCTV files from the Mackeys, Lee-Anne’s parents. Wilson was immediately dismissed, but Paniczko and Moutsos were initially moved to another residential house before being ultimately dismissed when charges were filed by the police. The three women initially pleaded guilty to assault in court.
After convictions were recorded against the trio, they launched appeals, with Moutsos and Wilson pleading guilty but successfully arguing for their convictions not to be recorded. Paniczko convinced the appeal court to withdraw her guilty plea for one charge and entered a diversion program for the other, which required her to apologize to Lee-Anne and donate to an animal hospital. Wilson was ordered to perform unpaid community work, while Moutsos received a similar sentence. The NDIS Commission imposed bans on all three women.
Police Detective Senior Constable Travis Kinghorn, who investigated the case, emphasized the importance of reporting abuse in the disability sector. The Mackeys described the experience as traumatic for Lee-Anne, leading to psychological scarring and a loss of trust in her caregivers. Lee-Anne remains a client of Scope and now resides in a different house under their care. Scope’s acting CEO Lisa Evans expressed deep distress over the situation, describing the videos as some of the worst she has ever seen and offering apologies to the Mackeys.
The mistreatment of Lee-Anne highlights the vulnerability of individuals in the disability sector and the need for strict measures to prevent such incidents from occurring. Minister Shorten’s commitment to imposing life bans on the carers involved sends a strong message about accountability and protecting vulnerable individuals from harm. The legal proceedings following the abuse, including the appeals and sentencing of the carers, reflect the complexity of addressing such cases and seeking justice for the victims. Moving forward, increased awareness, reporting mechanisms, and support for those affected are essential in ensuring the safety and well-being of individuals with disabilities in care settings.
