Dilworth School proposes inquiry

Dilworth School has released details of its proposed investigation and redress scheme for survivors of sexual abuse.

More than 130 survivors have joined a Human Rights Commission class action which alleges Dilworth School failed to protect students from systemic sexual abuse between 1970 and 2006.

It comes after 12 people were arrested and charged over alleged sexual offending at the school.

Dilworth is yet to appoint the person who will head the inquiry, but the draft terms say it will look at the extent of the abuse and the factors that caused or contributed to it from 1950 onwards.

It will hear evidence from survivors, former staff and board members.

The draft terms say the inquiry will also look at: ‘‘the actions of Dilworth School, its trustees, officers, and staff in responding to complaints of abuse including the adequacy of those actions and whether there were any actions to suppress the reporting of abuse’’.

It will look at how complaints were handled and whether administrators were, or should have been, aware of the abuse.

The draft document says Dilworth will ensure the inquiry will be able to operate ‘‘independently and confidentially’’ and if requested, provide privileged information.

It says a final inquiry report will be made public, subject to redactions of survivor details.

Dilworth Trust Board chairman Aaron Snodgrass said survivors and their families, and present and former board trustees, headmasters, volunteers and staff members, would all be encouraged and supported to participate.

Survivor networks, experts and the Royal Commission were all consulted with, he said, and they were now seeking feedback from former students.

Snodgrass said redress would be tailored to each survivor and could include counselling, an apology and redress payments.

It is proposed the redress scheme will be chaired by a panel of three.

It will award payments of up to $200,000, depending on the nature, extent impact and degree of failure by the school.

As well as sexual abuse, the scheme will also hear complaints of ‘‘profound physical abuse’’. It will be confidential and survivors will not incur costs. Families of dead survivors will also be able to apply.

The school has set April 13 as the deadline for feedback.