NSW: Youth worker withdraws appeal over inappropriate touching

AAP General News (Australia)
12-03-2001
NSW: Youth worker withdraws appeal over inappropriate touching

SYDNEY, Dec 3 AAP - A youth worker accused of inappropriately touching detainees and
visiting a lovestruck inmate while off duty withdrew an appeal against demotion after
a tribunal today recommended her dismissal.

Christine Shields was defending charges of improper conduct with four juveniles over
three months from December last year at the Kariong detention centre on the NSW Central
Coast.

The Government and Related Employees Appeal Tribunal was told that although Ms Shields
retained the title of senior youth worker after her demotion she was no longer given managerial
duties and her pay was dropped.

At today's hearing, she denied claims by the Department of Juvenile Justice that a
detainee was found sitting on or between her legs and was stroking her arm during a meeting.

She also denied another inmate made overt sexual remarks to her and that she failed
to report it or take appropriate steps.

Counsel for the department, Teresa Anderson, told the tribunal Ms Shields was guilty
of "a gross inability to understand" her role despite nine years experience and receiving
a warning letter from management about the need for boundaries with clients.

The Central Coast woman admitted when off duty she had twice visited an inmate after
he had been transferred to Parklea prison.

The youth had expressed his love for her in two letters, the tribunal was told.

Ms Shields denied she had acted inappropriately when she put her arm on the shoulder
of another detainee who was upset.

"There's a lot of physical contact other than restraint between detainees and youth workers.

"Male staff put their arms around detainees and punch each other in the arms in a male
sort of bonding thing," she told the tribunal.

However, the tribunal found the penalty should be increased to dismissal which prompted
her counsel to withdraw the appeal.

Spokesman David Gleeson later told AAP the department was reconsidering Ms Shield's
future in her capacity as senior youth worker at nearby Baxter detention centre.

AAP dmc/arb/ldj/de

KEYWORD: SHIELDS

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