MY NEW FIGHT FOR JUSTICE
Geelong man abused by St Joseph’s teacher in fresh legal bid for compensation
A GEELONG man who was sexually abused by a paedophile teacher at St Joseph’s College in the 1970s has launched new legal action against the Christian Brothers.
Almost 50 years after he was abused by John Coogan as a teenager, the man will argue the redress he received in the 1990s was inadequate and he should get “decent compensation” for his suffering.
His law firm Slater and Gordon said recent legal changes made it possible for victims to get a second settlement from the church.
A GEELONG man who was sexually abused by a paedophile teacher at St Joseph's College in the 1970s has launched new legal action against the Christian Brothers.
Almost 50 years after he was abused by John Coogan as a teenager, the man will argue the redress he received in the 1990s was inadequate and he should get “decent compensation” for his suffering.
His law firm Slater and Gordon said recent legal changes made it possible for victims to get a second settlement from the church.
Coogan, now dead, spent a number of years in jail in the 1990s for abusing children while a PE teacher and sports coach at St Joseph’s College.
Slater and Gordon’s client was plied with treats, including beer, by the teacher at school, and offered private athletics training on the beach at Ocean Grove, near where Coogan lived.
Coogan repeatedly abused him at that house.
“It went on for several months. He told me not to tell anyone. The abuse affected me profoundly,” the victim said.
“(It) was effectively like being kidnapped.”
Slater and Gordon’s Jane McCullough said the Catholic Church’s so-called “Melbourne Response” locked sex abuse victims into confidential, inadequate, one-off settlements with the church.
But legislative changes prompted by a royal commission meant settlements could now be set aside.
She said community sports still needed to improve the way they vetted helpers.
“We are investigating sexual abuse claims within amateur sporting clubs around Australia following children being subjected to sexual abuse and predatory behaviour by coaches, paid staff, volunteers and parents,” Ms McCullough said.
“Stronger regulation is still needed to prevent the wrong people having access to children.
“It’s a sad fact that children can be at risk of abuse by simply participating in physical activities within their local sporting club. We have seen it across multiple codes — from junior cricket, to surf lifesaving, soccer and football.”
Her client said Coogan’s abuse destroyed his promising athletics career and his interest in academic work, and still haunted him today.
“Having to continue at the school where my abuser was still teaching was very difficult, creepy in fact,” he said.
“Things got pretty mediocre for me at school after that. My grades really suffered. I wanted to leave school as soon as possible.
“It’s been more than 40 years of baggage I’ve carried. I never married or had kids.
“My friends from school days who were not abused have led very different lives.
“As a result of what happened, I’ve abused alcohol over the years and have been diagnosed with anxiety, OCD and a personality disorder.”
He said parents at the school in his day expressed concerns about paedophiles but no action was taken.
“My mother notified the school with concerns about his relationship with me … a staff member warned Mum to keep an eye on his dealings with me,” he said.
“My message to young people being abused or taken advantage of is simply to tell someone, it might be a medical professional, a school counsellor or a psychologist.”
“Tell someone you trust, who you feel might be able to help you.
“Don’t bottle it up.”