The National Network of Incarcerated and Formerly Incarcerated Women and Girls acknowledges today’s District Court verdict finding a former Adelaide Women’s Prison maintenance officer guilty of rape and indecent assault against a woman imprisoned at the Adelaide Women’s Prison.
Today belongs first and foremost to the women who found the courage to speak.
During the trial, the women who came forward were subjected to public scrutiny, disbelief and vilification. Their criminalisation was repeatedly used to undermine their credibility, while their histories and convictions were dissected in open court and across media coverage. The verdict does not erase what they have endured, but it does vindicate the women who refused to remain silent despite knowing the personal cost of speaking out.
As an organisation led by criminalised and formerly incarcerated women, we know how difficult it is for women in prison to report sexual violence committed by those who hold power over them. Prison is an environment defined by profound power imbalance. Women who disclose abuse risk retaliation, isolation, disbelief and further punishment. Too often, they are treated as though they are the ones on trial.
‘Today’s verdict should prompt serious reflection about how women in prison who report sexual violence are treated by institutions, by legal processes and by the broader public,’ said Debbie Kilroy.
While the criminal proceedings have concluded, the responsibility of the Department for Correctional Services does not.
The National Network calls on the Department for Correctional Services South Australia to publicly outline:
- What immediate trauma-informed supports are being offered to the women affected by this officer’s violence.
- What supports are being made available to other women imprisoned at Adelaide Women’s Prison who may have been impacted by these events.
- Whether an independent process will be established to identify whether any other women experienced sexual abuse or inappropriate conduct by the officer or others in positions of authority while in custody.
- What systemic changes will be implemented to ensure women can safely report sexual violence without fear of retaliation or disbelief.
‘This case cannot be treated as an isolated matter concerning one individual alone. It raises broader questions about institutional culture, accountability and the barriers imprisoned women face when reporting abuse by those who exercise power over them,’ said Debbie Kilroy.
‘Women in prison retain their humanity. They retain the right to bodily autonomy, dignity and safety. A prison sentence should never become permission for sexual violence or for women’s voices to be dismissed because they have been criminalised,’ said Debbie Kilroy.
‘Tonight, our thoughts are with every woman who has experienced sexual violence while in custody and every woman who has carried that experience in silence,’ said Tabitha Lean, former prisoner of Adelaide Women’s Prison.
‘To the women who came forward: we believe you. We stand beside you. To the women still inside Adelaide Women’s Prison, and to our members across the National Network, we hold you in our hearts this evening,’ said Tabitha Lean.
For further comment, please contact Debbie Kilroy on 0419 762 474 or Tabitha Lean on 0499 780 226.
