Warning: this update contains references to abuse.

The Royal Commission began its fourth disability provider case study hearing, focusing on provider Afford and the operation of its day programs in Western Sydney between 2018 and 2021.

Counsel assisting introduced several cases of abuse by a worker which will be considered throughout the hearing. In 2020, a support worker was arrested on multiple charges of abuse while working at the organisation, including filming service users naked and during personal care, filming himself blowing e-cigarette smoke into a service user’s face and filming himself slapping a service user to wake him up. He was sentenced to three and a half years’ imprisonment. The RC noted there was no evidence the provider was aware of the abuse while it was occurring, and the focus will be on the organisation’s response.