In the last 7 years there have been more than 12,000 complaints made about Victoria’s psychiatric system, including breaches of the law. Victoria’s Mental Health Act does not even have criminal fines or prison terms for ill-treating a patient as other states of Australia do. In stark contrast the Victorian Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act has a fine of up to $45,435 or imprisonment for up to 12 months for wounding, abusing, worrying or terrifying an animal. The lack of criminal fines and prison terms to protect patients in the Victorian  Mental Health Act means the psychiatric industry is rarely held accountable for harm caused to involuntary detained children and adults.

Read the article about the number of complaints here: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2022/may/26/no-action-taken-against-victorian-mental-health-services-despite-more-than-12000-complaints