A parliamentary investigation will be held into allegations of sexual and psychological abuse at a faith-based women's rehab centre in Perth, as the state government confirms its agencies sent multiple young women to live there.
WA State Parliament on Thursday voted in favour of a parliamentary investigation into allegations against the facility, to be completed by December 1, 2022.
Communities Minister Simone McGurk said those allegations include criminal complaints of sexual abuse, as well as residents being denied food, banned from contacting friends and family, illegal restraints, and Aboriginal residents being told that using their language was akin to being possessed by the devil.
“Under the current framework the state has very limited oversight of this facility,” said McGurk.
The Esther Foundation claims to provide counselling for issues including addictions, sexual abuse, and mental health.
The foundation last month apologised for any "abuse" or "harm" after former residents spoke out with claims of psychological abuse and inappropriate treatment.
Investigation to consider oversight
It will also consider oversight measures.
The Western Australian Departments of Health and Communities have now both confirmed they referred young women to the Christian rehabilitation program.
The Health Department said it referred five patients to The Esther Foundation facility, two of whom are known to have participated in the program.
"The recent media reports on The Esther Foundation remain very troubling, and the Department of Health encourages anyone who needs mental health support to seek help," it said in a statement.
A statement from the Department of Communities said the department did not know how many patients were referred to the foundation but none of the referrals were recent.
Communities said it did not fund any foundation programs and it would no longer refer patients to the facility.
Foundation vows to cooperate
WA Police have urged anyone who thinks they have been a victim of a crime to report it to them, saying it would investigate to the "fullest extent possible".
The Esther Foundation has said it will cooperate with any investigation, criminal or otherwise.
Acting chief executive Aaron Hines said "an independent and suitably qualified person" would be appointed to work with former residents who wanted to share their story.
"[The allegations] relate to a time period before I and our executive team joined the foundation," Mr Hines said.
"We are endeavouring to obtain more details."
