SYDNEY, July 25, 2004 (catholicweekly.com.au): Chris Lindsay writes in next Sunday’s The Catholic Weekly on the problems of violence in centres for the homeless
– The potential threat of violence against staff by homeless people suffering from mental illness and/or drug and alcohol problems may force the closure later this year of many of the 35 homeless centres run by the St Vincent de Paul Society in NSW.
The threat of closure, or greatly increased running costs, comes because new occupational health and safety legislation will make it virtually illegal to have only one staff member on at night in these centres. Up to 400 centres run by other religious and charitable organisations are facing the same problem. centre may not be regarded as fulfilling the required duty of care.gislation is bringing that time closer.’
Found on http://www.vincentians.org.au/vinnews.htm
