Female counsellor had sex with girl

By PATRICK CREWDSON

Janette Isaac has been ordered to pay her former client $35,000 in damages and $5000 costs for humiliation, loss of dignity, injury to her feelings, and "flagrant disregard" of her rights.

All identifying details about the girl, referred to in a Human Rights Review Tribunal decision issued last week as Miss B, have been permanently suppressed.

In March, 2000, Miss B went to see the high school guidance counsellor because she was having trouble with her mother at home. Their monthly sessions increased to weekly and, in November, Isaac referred her to a mental health service because of her drug use, self-harming, and violence.

In early April 2001, the girl was suspended from school for drug possession, but her suspension was lifted with the help of Isaac. During the next few months she was admitted to hospital three times – for acute alcohol intoxication, self-harm, and because she was suicidal. In May, she disclosed a history of sexual abuse and was referred to a specialist counsellor, bringing her formal relationship with Isaac to an end.

After a drug overdose in August, she wrote a suicide note to Isaac, addressing her as "Aunty Janette". That prompted formal complaints from her mother and her mental health therapist about the pair's inappropriate relationship.

But, in October, the girl moved in with Isaac and her female partner – who she believed was a flatmate – as she prepared for School Certificate.

The next month, Isaac and the girl kissed "in a sexual manner". By January, 2002, the pair were often sleeping in the same bed and the girl said she was in love with Isaac.

They had sex for the first time in June, when the girl was 16. She stayed at Isaac's home for about a week before moving to Wellington to live with her mother. Soon after, Isaac paid for the girl, who had been drinking heavily, to return to Tauranga to stay with her. They had sex many times.

In August, they spent another week together in Tauranga, after which the girl decided to stay in the city, taking on a job and renting a flat.

In October, Isaac greatly upset the girl with the revelation that she and her partner had been together for 16 years. But their tryst continued, with Miss B believing the long-term relationship was over.

The next month, the girl attacked Isaac after learning she was still in contact with her partner. A few days later she approached Isaac with a knife, telling police later that if she could not be with Isaac, she would kill herself.

The next day she tried to overdose on aspirin, anti-depressants and anti-nausea pills but vomited before they took effect. After that, Isaac and the girl had sex once more, in December.

Speaking through her lawyer, Isaac said she was no longer working as a guidance counsellor or in a school.