The Esther Foundation, a Christian-based residential rehabilitation centre in Perth, says it will cooperate with any criminal investigation after a growing number of women have spoken out about allegations of psychological abuse and inappropriate treatment at the facility.
Former residents of the centre this week told the ABC that the program treated their mental health and addictions by attempting to "exorcise demons". One woman said she was not allowed to speak for two months.
The women say they did not receive any psychological or psychiatric care from a qualified medical specialist during their time at the residential centre for young women from crisis backgrounds, which claims to provide counselling for issues including addictions, sexual abuse and mental health.
Confronted with the women's allegations this week, the Esther Foundation issued an "unreserved apology".
"We stand in support of any former resident who has suffered hurt, abuse or anguish," the Esther Foundation said in a written response.
"We are taking decisive steps to learn more about what happened in the years under the former leadership, bring resolution to anyone affected where this is possible, and to ensure the safety and wellbeing of all of our current and future participants."
The statement urged women with allegations of "possible criminal behaviour" to report them to police and said it would cooperate with any investigation.
The now Kalamunda-based facility, runs a program where residents "graduate" after completing a series of steps.
The centre received funding security for an additional seven years after receiving $4 million from the federal government in 2019 to build more beds.
Former residents who spoke out this week claim The Esther Foundation took their phones and wallets when they arrived, and that they were prohibited from watching or reading certain material. One Indigenous woman said she was not allowed to speak the Indigenous Noongar language, but was encouraged to dance in an Indigenous style to break away from Aboriginal spirits.
Some of the former residents lived there for as long as five years.
Cara's story
Among the women who have spoken out about their experiences at the centre is Cara Phillips, who was 25-years-old when she turned to the facility in 2004 for what she thought would be professional help for her mental health struggles and childhood trauma.
But she said she never received any treatment by a qualified psychologist or psychiatrist, and claims she was subjected to abusive demands, such as not allowing her to speak for two months.
"If I wanted, say, a cup of tea or a drink, I had to pray to God that he would show her that, that I wanted that [but] I couldn't ask for it," Ms Phillips said in an interview with ABC Radio Perth this week.
"And then the theory was that he — God — would show her and then she would say, 'Would you like a cup of tea?'"
Ms Phillips said treatment came in the form of prayer and any counselling was provided by staff who she said did not have any clinical qualifications, including one staff member who diagnosed her as having "multiple personality disorder".
Ms Phillips said her phone was taken away from her and she was not allowed to speak to anyone who was deemed "ungodly" or inappropriate.
The residents were not allowed to watch movies, read books or listen to music that was considered ungodly, she said.
When Ms Phillips questioned what she saw at the facility, she said she was ordered to live under a series of restrictions. She said she had to shadow a staff member by staying within two metres of that person, and was not allowed to ask for anything unless she was given permission.
'They would say I was possessed'
Lydia Taylor was 16 years old when she entered the facility. She would remain there for five years from 2007.
A Kija woman, she said she was banned from speaking about Indigenous issues.
However, she said she was also encouraged to dance in a traditional Aboriginal style at specific times to "break away" Indigenous spirits.
"I would get angry [about racial injustice] and then they would say I was possessed," she said.
"Like I need prayer or I need to stop talking about it or we need to get you to deliverance … like I have a demon attached to me."
Ms Taylor, whose family is from the Kimberley but grew up in Perth, said she and other Indigenous women and girls were banned from using Noongar words.
Noongar words banned, says former resident
"They said you're not allowed to use those words, because it's like, street-related or something like that," Ms Taylor said.
She graduated from the program, but said she left the facility when she met a Canadian man online and left to live overseas.
Ms Taylor said she still struggles as a result of her time at The Esther Foundation.
Alice, who asked ABC not to use her real name, was in her late teens, homeless and struggling with mental health and addictions when she was taken to the facility. She said her phone and wallet were taken away when she arrived.
Alice was at the facility at the same time as Ms Phillips and Ms Taylor, and said she was aware of efforts to remove "Aboriginal spirits" from Ms Taylor.
Alice tried to escape twice but said she was chased and tackled to the ground on one occasion.
"We had a couple of vans that we used to get around so they drove down the hill and put me in the van and drove me back to the place and had one of the bigger workers sit on me so I couldn't get away," she said.
"Eventually I just did whatever they wanted me to because I was scared. I was very mentally unwell."
Centre apologises to women
The Esther Foundation said hearing the women's stories has been "extremely distressing and confronting" to members of the current board.
"The conduct they describe does not reflect our vision or purpose," a statement on behalf of the Foundation said.
"We sincerely and without reservation apologise to these women and any others who have been hurt or have experienced abuse in any form."
The statement said The Esther Foundation went through a "complete overhaul" more than two years ago.
It said it parted company with the founder and former managing director and implemented stricter safety procedures. It has also brought on "qualified personnel" to deliver care to program participants.
Complainants offered therapy
Former Esther Foundation chief executive Anina Findling, who is not the subject of the allegations, said she met with and apologised to some of the women who have spoken out about their experiences after she started working there in 2019.
"I did what I could, on behalf of the board to apologise for where they felt wronged and ensure that … none of those things were continuing to be in the program," she said.
Ms Findling said she could not confirm the allegations, but that "there was substance to concerns" and that they were addressed to make sure they were not continuing.
She said some complainants were also offered 10 sessions with a qualified psychologist.
"I apologised as well, on behalf of the board, to the stories that I heard," Ms Findling said.
"I'm not substantiating everything happened as people complained. But for those that felt aggrieved, I did my best to empathise and meet them where they're at."
She said the allegations should not overshadow the good work that the facility has done to support residents and transform their lives for the better.
The current board of the foundation said it would appoint an independent and qualified person to manage a dedicated complaints process for former residents.
It plans to start a process, it said, to obtain appropriate accreditation to support its program.
"While the Esther Foundation of today has evolved, we are determined to deal with the past," the statement said.
"We understand it may be difficult – even traumatic – for those hurt in the past to come to us, but we can assure each one that they will be treated with respect, compassion, and understanding, and in confidence.”
Do you have an experience or further information related to this story? If so, please email trilling.jo@abc.net.au.
Cara said she lost her career and many friendships as a result of her experience as a resident.
She told the ABC she felt ashamed to talk about her experiences at first, but later felt compelled to speak out.
"I spent years afraid to talk about it, because I was ashamed," she said.
"It's a terrible thing, being unable to speak about your life … it's like you can never fully live if you can't just be honest about who you are and what you've been through.
WA Minister for Women's Interests Simone McGurk told ABC Radio on Wednesday she has also received numerous complaints.
She also encouraged women to report criminal allegations to police and invited them to approach her directly to discuss their concerns.
Ms McGurk said the Department of Communities has been asked to investigate the issues raised and to speak with the board of the facility about how they're dealing with complaints.
