Child sex abuse alleged
Ex-pupil taking legal action against Christian Brother
A MAN who was allegedly repeatedly sexually and physically abused by his male teacher at the age of 13 is attempting to take legal action.
Shine Lawyers is calling for anyone who was abused or witnessed abuse at Geelong’s former St Mary’s Technical School in the late 1960s to come forward.
Shine special counsel abuse lawyer Nick Hart is representing a male client who alleges he was abused by a Christian Brother at the Yarra St school in 1967.
Mr Hart said his client, who cannot be named, says he was 13 years old when his teacher physically abused him multiple times during daytime classes.
The law firm last week placed an advertisement in this newspaper calling for anyone who witnessed the sexual abuse or was a victim of abuse at this time to come forward.
“We currently have a client that alleges they were a victim of child sex abuse while they were a student at St Mary’s Technical School,” Mr Hart said.
“Off the back of a small advertisement we did have a number of people come forward, who were past students of St Mary’s, alleging abuse.
“They have made allegations of, or were witnesses to, both physical and sexual abuse between the 1960s and 1970s.”
While there is no proposed group action at this stage, Mr Hart is attempting to determine if there was more widespread abuse.
“What we are looking at is trying to see … if there was a deeper issue,” Mr Hart said.
“I’d certainly encourage anyone who experienced abuse to talk to someone and to seek legal advice.”
Mr Hart said the alleged abuse had a significant impact on his client’s life and, as an abuse lawyer, he was attempting to seek compensation for the alleged victim.
“I am investigating his allegations that this sexual abuse did occur and I am certain that it did,” Mr Hart said.
“It has had a significant impact on his life, undoubtedly if it occurred to others it would have had a similar impact on their lives.
“For my client’s sake my aim is to investigate it for him and see if there is any claim I can go forward with for him … to hopefully try and seek some compensation that is going to enable him to seek treatment and perhaps account for his losses he has experienced as a result of abuse.”
St Mary’s Technical School was a central Geelong school for boys until it amalgamated with girls school Goold College in 1991 to form Catholic Regional College.
That school eventually became St Ignatius College.