Melbourne Exhibit Exposes Psychiatry's Human Rights Abuses
Citizens Commission on Human Rights
In response to growing concerns about psychiatric treatments including electric shock, the Citizens Commission on Human Rights Victoria (CCHR) is displaying its Psychiatry: An Industry of Death Exhibition in Melbourne again, following a high level of community interest and engagement during its previous showing. This free-to-attend exhibit provides the public with facts about the potential dangers of psychiatric drugs, electric shock, and physical restraint—treatments that can place vulnerable adults and children at significant risk of harm, and even death.
The informative exhibit on human rights problems in the psychiatric system opens for 6 days starting Tuesday, 12th August. Produced by the Citizens Commission on Human Rights (CCHR), the exhibit is being held at 306-308 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy in Melbourne.
One topic covered by the exhibition is electroshock (ECT). This is the application of hundreds of volts of electricity applied to the head, creating the equivalent of a grand mal seizure. It can cause brain damage, heart attack, memory loss, worsening of "psychiatric symptoms" and even death. At least 1,700 mandatory ECT orders were approved in Australia in 2023/24.
For years peak world bodies have called for a ban on forced electric shock without consent and to ban its use on children:
- In 2005, the World Health Organisation (WHO) said, “There are no indications for the use of ECT on minors, and hence this should be prohibited through legislation.” And in 2023, the United Nations (UN) and WHO stated together, “ECT is not recommended for children, and this should be prohibited through legislation.” ECT remains legal for use on Victorian children.
- Electric shock can also be given against a person’s wishes in Victoria, despite a 2013 report by the United Nations Special Rapporteur on Torture and Other Cruel Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment that defined procedures such as electric shock without the consent of the patient as a form of torture.
- In 2019, the United Nations directly told Australia it should, “Prohibit the use of non-consensual electroconvulsive therapy on the basis of any form of impairment.” 6 years later and Victoria has not implemented this ban.
- And in 2021, the World Health Organization stated that forced electric shock is one of the coercive psychiatric practices which needs to be eliminated.
The exhibition features informational panels and audiovisual presentations, including interviews with psychiatrists, psychologists, doctors, lawyers, and survivors of psychiatric mistreatment. It covers the dark history of psychiatry right through to modern-day psychiatry with its alarming rate of psychiatric drug prescriptions to children as well as the use of electric shock, psychosurgery, restraint and seclusion. It highlights the need for fully informed consent when psychiatric treatments are proposed, ensuring that patients and their families are fully aware of the potential dangerous and even deadly risks before agreeing to any intervention.
Free copies of CCHR’s documentaries will be available.
TOUR TIMES: 12th – 17th August 2025, 10 am to 8 pm daily
VENUE: 306-308 Brunswick Street, Fitzroy (near Corner of Brunswick and Johnston Streets)
