A 60 Minutes investigation uncovered disturbing footage of the mistreatment of Lee-Anne by her carers, Lisa Wilson, Monika Paniczko, and Anastasia Moutsos over an 18-month period in 2019 and 2020. The videos captured Wilson sticking objects in Lee-Anne’s mouth for her own amusement and Paniczko apparently breathing and spitting into Lee-Anne’s mouth. NDIS Minister Bill Shorten expressed anger and vowed to pursue life bans for the carers to prevent them from working with vulnerable individuals under the scheme. He described the behavior as dehumanizing and evil, emphasizing the need to protect those in disability care.
After receiving the footage, Shorten reached out to Lee-Anne’s parents and assured them that he would take action to address the situation. Scope, a non-profit provider of disability services in Victoria and NSW, came under scrutiny following the release of the footage. The organization reported the abuse to Victoria Police in October 2020 and fired Wilson immediately, while Paniczko and Moutsos were later dismissed when charges were laid. All three women initially pleaded guilty to assault in court, with Wilson claiming her actions were intended as a joke.
The carers launched appeals in the County Court after convictions were initially recorded against them. Wilson was ordered to perform community service, while Paniczko and Moutsos were banned by the NDIS Commission for several years. Despite the appeals and varying outcomes, the judge ruled that the secretly recorded video evidence submitted by the Mackeys was admissible during the proceedings. Detective Senior Constable Travis Kinghorn urged people to report abuse in the disability sector, emphasizing that such behavior is unacceptable and should not be tolerated.
The Mackeys, Lee-Anne’s parents, shared the traumatic impact the ordeal had on their daughter, noting her loss of trust in those who care for her. Lee-Anne, who now lives in another house managed by Scope, experienced psychological scarring as a result of the mistreatment. Scope’s acting CEO Lisa Evans, who was not in charge during the incidents, expressed shock and distress over the conduct captured in the videos. Evans met with the Mackeys to apologize and acknowledged the severity of the situation, describing the footage as appalling and unthinkable.
Moving forward, efforts to prevent similar incidents and ensure the safety and dignity of individuals in disability care are crucial. Shorten’s commitment to pursuing life bans for the carers and the actions taken by Scope in response to the abuse highlight the importance of holding perpetrators accountable and protecting the rights of vulnerable individuals. The case serves as a reminder of the need for vigilance and oversight in the disability sector to prevent such instances of mistreatment and ensure the well-being of those in care. By addressing and condemning such behavior, authorities can work towards creating a safer and more supportive environment for individuals with disabilities.
