‘Rapist gave vulnerable care home patient HIV’
AN AUTISTIC woman who was raped at a care home has been diagnosed with HIV.
It is feared another five residents could have been infected with the disease at the facility for special needs residents.
One of the victim’s mothers has alleged the sexual abuse was carried out by a care worker during a night shift.
After a lengthy investigation Brent Council has expressed its “deep and sincere regret” for the abuse at the home in London run by an independent provider.
But no one has been brought to justice because the sexual abuse could have occurred between 2006 and 2016, and there is no forensic evidence. The home has since been closed and the victims moved into facilities run by different contractors.
It comes after it emerged that a woman with severe disabilities became pregnant after being raped in a care home in Florida.
One of the victims in London was Cassie, whose name was changed in the report. An autistic woman now in her 50s, she had been in care since she was a child. She was diagnosed with HIV after she collapsed in 2016 and was admitted to Guy’s Hospital. Her health had been failing for some time, with skin rashes and bruising noticed from 2007 onwards. She then lost her appetite and had teeth and gum issues.
Her mother, who has not been named, said: “Cassie was sick for a long time in 2015 and no one knew what was wrong with her. Then one day she fell down and couldn’t get up. They did an HIV test and then another. Then we had a meeting with everyone.”
The suspected rape was reported to police after doctors ruled the infection was sexually transmitted and that Cassie lacked the mental capacity to consent to sexual relations.
The council also launched a probe which found Cassie’s care had been negligent. The final
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The live shows kick off on Saturday on BBC One at 7.30pm. report, by Dr Margaret Flynn, acknowledged that Cassie (Adult B) was “failed by services”.
Professor Michael PrestonShoot, chairman of the Brent Safeguarding Adults Board, said of the report: “This is a distressing case of a woman who should have been safe but has acquired a serious infection probably as a result of sexual abuse.”
He added: “The board wishes to express its deep and sincere regret to Adult B and her family.”
Cassie’s mother believes the rape was carried out by a worker at the home during a night shift.
The police probe was closed in March 2017 and a Met spokesman said: “Due to the 10-year period the offence was alleged to have occurred between, no clear suspects could be identified and there were no forensic opportunities available. There are no lines of inquiry that require further examination at this time.”
A Brent Council spokeswoman said: “Cassie is no longer living in a care home managed by the previous provider.
“All the former residents are now safe and happy. We no longer place any residents in care homes run by this provider.”
‘Cassie should have been safe’