A RESIDENT of Ararat Hopkins Correctional Centre’s sex offender residential unit, Corella Place, has prompted a warning to female GPs over his alleged “unacceptable behaviours”.
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The Australian Medical Association’s Victoria branch has warned members that a sex offender had been allegedly lying about his medical history to gain appointments with female GPs in Melbourne’s northern suburbs.
AMA Victoria did not specify that the 40-year-old man, with convictions for rape and stalking offences, lives at Corella Place.
A Corrections Victoria spokesperson did not deny that the subject of AMA Victoria’s warning was a Corella Place resident.
Corrections Victoria was unable to comment on individuals within the prison system.
Corella Place is a unit outside of Ararat prison’s wall that houses sex offenders who have completed their sentences but have been deemed too much of a risk to be allowed to live in the wider community.
Due to court orders, Fairfax Media cannot name the man and AMA Victoria has been prohibited from releasing his identify to GPs who might be at risk.
AMA Victoria president Dr Lorraine Baker, said during August and November 2017, the organisation had been contacted by GPs in Melbourne's northern suburbs.
“We understand that several female GPs have been exposed to unacceptable behaviours by a particular male patient,” Dr Baker said.
“This person specifically requests to see female GPs. It is alleged that this person has a sexual offence record. The police have been informed, but appear limited in their powers to assist.
“This is a serious issue. Female GPs and female GP registrars who are in training are being exposed to dangerous and unacceptable situations in their workplaces.”
Dr Baker said she had particular concern for teenagers and children present at medical clinics and the potential for “dangerous situations” during one-one-one consultations with GPs.
AMA Victoria emailed all its members in August.
“We understand that there is a 40 y.o. male, known to police with an alleged sexual offence record, who has been calling medical practices and requesting to only see female GPs,” the email stated.
“The male usually rings and says: ‘Dr X has seen me in the past and can I make another appointment to see her’.”
Corrections Victoria has been asked to comment on allegations that the Corella Place resident breached the terms of his court order by attending GP appointments without a supervisor.
A Corrections Victoria spokesperson said they could not comment about individual cases but said offenders under supervision orders were checked for compliance.
“Supervision Orders provide for the post-sentence supervision of serious sex offenders who pose an unacceptable risk of committing a relevant offence following their release from prison,” the spokesperson said.
“This is a civil scheme for individuals who have completed their time in jail and would otherwise be in the community with no supervision at all.
“The courts are responsible for determining the conditions attached to supervision orders, which may include electronic monitoring or a requirement for an individual to be accompanied in public.
“Corrections Victoria staff closely manage all offenders to ensure they are complying with conditions imposed by the court.”
The spokesperson said Corrections Victoria was allowed to share certain information about persons under supervision orders to healthcare providers.
“There are provisions in the legislation for Corrections Victoria to share information about an individual, including to healthcare providers,” the spokesperson said.
“The management of serious sex offenders has been strengthened in recent years, with police and Corrections Victoria given stronger powers to manage offenders in the community.
“Work is currently underway to implement reforms to the post-sentence regime which will provide even greater protection for the community from our most serious offenders.”