Assignment Task

Case Study 1

Georgia is a 23-year-old Aboriginal woman who has been arrested for the murder of her husband. She is from a remote community, speaks little English and left school in grade 8. She has been admitted on several occasions to the local hospital in the past for domestic violence and a drug overdose. She was intoxicated at the time of the offense and believed her husband was trying to kill her with magic. Georgia has 3 children who have temporarily been placed in the care of her husband’s relatives. 

Georgia has told the mental health worker that her husband is speaking to her and that they are “going to get her”. She will not elaborate on who she believes is after her. Georgia has a substance abuse problem dating back many years and she has used various substances ranging from paint, petrol and glue to cannabis and alcohol which she consumed in large quantities on a weekly basis.  

The community is divided because Georgia and her husband belonged to very dominant families. There has been previous conflict between these families. The primary source of collateral information has been her husband’s family. Georgia is unwilling to provide information to the local health worker or legal aid officer because they are also relatives of her deceased husband.