Former ward of the state Deanne Harmon awarded more than $1 million compensation for sexual abuse in care

A former ward of the State who was sexually abused three times while under government care has been awarded more than a $1 million in compensation — one of the biggest payouts in WA history for institutional child sexual abuse. The Department of Communities acted as Deanne Harmon’s legal guardian for nine years after a WA court decided she would be safer under its “care and protection” rather than her parents. However, she was not. Instead, she was bullied, beaten and violated by other children and the adults who were meant to look after her. And when she revealed what happened, she was not believed. Her claims were only substantiated either after she had left her placement or through a lengthy departmental investigation, which resulted in her remaining with one perpetrator for another six months. As a result of its failure to protect to the 30-year-old from harm, the WA Government was ordered to pay her more than a $1 million for the nine years of torment and abuse she suffered while under its care. But for Ms Harmon, who waived her anonymity to share her story in a bid to not only help others but to also advocate for increased support for other Aboriginal children in care, it was not about the money — it was about validation. It has taken six long years to reach this stage and while she is relieved this chapter is over, she now wants to concentrate on healing and hopes to be part of the solution to an issue that is still plaguing some children in care. “The main reason for wanting to speak out now is to try and get other people my age to fight to hold these people accountable,” Ms Harmon said. “By holding them accountable they are going to be forced to change . . . forced to pay attention to children. “I’ve been pretty much ignored by the department my entire life, so I didn’t think anyone was going listen to me. “I did get them to admit that they were in the wrong. Just hearing that and getting that validation. That for me, that meant more than the money did.” Ms Harmon said while raising her first child she had realised just how young she had been when the abuse began. The mother-of-five was about five when removed from her biological parents and around six when she was placed at a group home in April 1999 — the place where she was first raped by a teenage boy who was living there. And it happened more than once. Ms Harmon was also molested by an older female resident. According to a statement of claim filed with the District Court of WA, the carers who ran the home were investigated by the department after other children complained of physical violence. They were then declared unfit. The department also investigated claims the boy who raped Ms Harmon had interfered with another girl, however, they never asked whether he committed offences against her. Despite this, Ms Harmon remained at the home until June 2000. As she was being removed she revealed what the boy had done to her but was told to not worry about it because she was being moved. Ms Harmon says to this day she remembers that man’s face and how she felt after his response. “I remember everything about him,” she said. “I was shattered. It was the first time I had gone to an adult and told them and to be told that . . . it was shattering.” After she was removed from the group home Ms Harmon was placed into the care of a couple in Perth’s eastern suburbs where the male carer began grooming her by offering her lollies and telling her she was “special”. He then began touching her inappropriately. That behaviour carried on for years, and only came to light in April 2002 after a doctor alerted the department about concerns the man had been sexually abusing another girl residing with him. It took the department two months before it conducted any interviews in relation to the concerns raised by the doctor, according to the statement of claim. And Ms Harmon was not interviewed until August 2003. A decision was then made to remove her, however, she ended up staying in her abuser’s care for another six months. By February 2004, Ms Harmon, who was now 10, was then placed into the home of a couple in Perth’s southern suburbs where she was again preyed upon by the adult male in the house. However, the sexual abuse did not begin until she was 13. She was also indecently assaulted by a boy living there and endured physical and emotional abuse by both adults. In the statement of claim, it says throughout her four years at that home, the department failed to carry out a single Ward Quarterly Report — essentially a condition report — as required. It also never arranged for Ms Harmon to have counselling to address the abuse she suffered at her second placement. Ms Harmon’s lawyer, Lily Hart from Maurice and Blackburn, said one of the most shocking aspects of her client’s case was that she was initially ignored. “A lot of children aren’t able to speak up when they’re in care and Deanne was incredibly courageous and did speak up. And the fact that it wasn’t acted on, I think is really, really shocking,” Ms Hart said. Ms Hart also said her client’s case highlighted that institutional child sexual abuse is not a historic issue but one that is still taking place today. And it’s because of this that Ms Harmon says she wants others who are in similar situations to know that it is never too late to speak up. “No matter what you hear, no matter what anyone says to you, you know your truth, and you should always fight for that truth no matter what stands in your way,” she said.