More victims speak up after sentencing
Court ruling leaves child sex abuse survivors ‘traumatised’
THE jailing of Malcolm John and his lack of remorse has triggered a huge response from victims of historic sexual abuse.
Activist and child sex abuse survivor ‘Michael Advocate’ launched his Justice for Geelong Victims program to support victims of historic abuse on July 26.
Since then, 16 victims of abuse have come forward to report attacks involving sexual and/or physical abuse. Many made contact at the weekend after publicity over the sentencing of the former Geelong Grammar head of music.
Mr Advocate said abuse victims were outraged, some even crying, about John’s clearly callous indifference and the fact he was smiling on the morning of his jailing.
“It’s been a very distressing and traumatising time for Geelong victims over the past two days with John’s sentencing,” he said.
“They’re clearly in a state of shock at this slap on the wrist sentence.
“They’re furious with what they see as totally inadequate jail time.
“They were all expecting three to six years in jail — some hoped for a life sentence — but no one ever imagined, including myself, that he’d be spending less than a year in jail.”
While the 16 victims who have come forward were spread across Geelong College, Geelong Grammar and St Joseph’s College, Mr Advocate said Geelong College was the “standout” for sexual abuse.
Most of the victims who had come forward had not spoken out before, he said.
Mr Advocate, who uses a pseudonym, said the victims were eager to litigate but money was the last thing on their minds.
“I encourage them that part of their healing process is being properly compensated,” he said.
Geelong College last week stumped up about $1 million to settle a case with a former student who was sexually abused by a teacher in 1969.
In a letter sent to the school community last month, principal Peter Miller said the school was expecting to see “a small number of cases” of historic abuse escalate to court in the near future.
Dr Miller said the school had spoken with Mr Advocate.
He said the college had embraced a restorative approach towards achieving redress, which included counselling and financing compensation.
“I understand Michael Advocate is seeking to provide an additional approach that we are currently willing to consider,” Dr Miller said.
“In the meantime we continue to encourage all survivors to speak with us directly or to the independent facilitator we have in place or the police or others they believe might be able to help.”
St Joseph’s College Geelong principal Tony Paatsch said while the school had existing processes when it came to supporting survivors, it was happy to engage with Mr Advocate.
Geelong Grammar did not respond by deadline.
Victims can contact Mr Advocate at michael.advocate@outlook.com or phone 0475 410 200.
Disgraced John faces being stripped of his Order of Australia medal (OAM): Page 13