Drummond Street Services

"DS claims to be inclusive and trauma Informed. I can say neither is the case. Working there was a traumatic. Working there was a nightmare. I was bullied and victimised daily by multiple co-workers. I would be insulted and criticized for hours each day - everything about me was judged and undermined: my clothes, hair, skin, make up, even the food I ate was judged and commented on disrespectfully. Even my capacity to do the job and my intelligence was constantly and repeatedly insulted and undermined. Throughout my employment there, the mentor program coordinator and senior lgbtiqa practitioner within the mentor program repeatedly told me I was incapable of reading and learning. That I wasn't fit to do the job. They would leer at my body inappropriately and also treated me like a thief who was stealing in the office. I was watched suspiciously throughout my work day, clearly in an attempt to make me feel uncomfortable and to victimise me. During my 2 months there they Also failed to assign me any clients - and the lawyer assisting me advised this withholding key aspects of my role is also a form of workplace bullying. Imagine trying to work with such abuse. It was relentless and humiliating - and severely damaged my mental health as there was no validity to their horrible behaviour. They were just bullying me and attempting to abuse their power to ensure I resigned. I attempted to report this to my manager - but they also constantly insulted my intelligence or ignored me altogether. I had no support throughout. The staff members bullying and victimising me were given preferential treatment and my wellbeing was ignored. I wasn't welcome there at all. My HR complaint was also treated as vexatious - and senior management 'victim blamed' and continued the organisational abuse by gaslighting me until i was forced to resign. The organisations director tried telling me the abuse was just a ''misunderstanding'' which was deeply disturbing to hear. WorkSafe Victoria disagreed with her though - and advised that the abuse was in violation of Victorias workplace regulations. Queerspace had Also failed to provide a safe workplace or provide me with a fair, impartial HR investigation. Thankfully a subsequent Worksafe investigation proved the bullying took place. [Even though the perpetrators involved attempted to justify and explain away the abuse, continuing their gaslighting - which was sickening to hear]. During my final week there I also reached out 4 support to my therapist. This confidential phone call took place in one of their private counselling rooms. During the call I could here another staff member coughing up against the wall - clearly eavesdropping on the conversation. This 'lgbtiqa family violence practitioner' reported that private conversation to senior management during my HR complaint against staff who abused me. [This person had also bullied me during my employment there]. Senior management reprimanded me for this private call to my therapist that nobody should have spied on. Showing these people have no understanding of client confidentiality or the ethical framework underpinning the Mental health industry. I was hospitalised with a major mental health injury due to the abuse. While the bully who targeted me still works there. In fact, they were 'rewarded' with extra days/hours and a promotion working with impressionable youth as their ''youth peer leader''. Despite their abuse towards me and being a terrible role model for anyone. There was no accountability - showing how toxic and negative the work culture is. They have no values. To add insult to my injury - the organisation attempted underpaying the compensation i was awarded and Worksafe Victoria had to intervene. So the organisation is happy to pay bullies a weekly wage but dislike paying their victims our entitlements. Which is beyond unethical. There are some amazing ppl there. But The bullies who still work there arent fit to work in mental health. They lack the basic qualities of compassion and kindness and are NOT inclusive. I recommend a"

"trash services! What a joke!"