‘Blaming her for wanting a boyfriend’: assault victim with disability critical of Queensland police response

The commission of inquiry into the Queensland police service’s responses to domestic violence incidents has now entered its third week of public hearings. Photograph: Dave Hunt/AAP

A woman with an intellectual disability experienced “extreme mental health concerns” after reporting her sexual assault to Queensland police, who made her feel “blamed” and “judged”, an inquiry has heard.

Social worker Jacelyn Parsons said officers made no additional effort to support the woman or adapt their communication style after she disclosed her disability.