PSA Press Release
Attention: Social services reporters
April 20, 2004

Investigation after assault on PSA members

A thorough investigation will take place following a serious assault on several Child Youth and Family staff at the Lower North Youth Justice residence in, PSA national secretary Richard Wagstaff said today.

“PSA and Child Youth and Family are extremely concerned about the gravity of the assault which has left several members of staff at the residence with serious injuries which will prevent them from working. It is crucial that we find out what went wrong.

“The PSA has met with the department and we have agreed that an immediate and thorough investigation will take place to ascertain the events which led to the weekend assault. We must find out what happened so it does not happen again.”

Richard Wagstaff said the safety of PSA members and Youth Justice residents was paramount and all steps must be taken to ensure this kind of violent incident did not occur.

“Although action has been taken to have the core group of young people involved removed from the site, they will still need to be placed somewhere and the options available are limited. This raises the issue of an urgent need for PSA and Child Youth and Family to look at staff safety issues and procedures in youth justice residences on a wider basis.”

Richard Wagstaff said there was absolutely no room for violence in any workplace.

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