Former primary school students sexually abused by a paedophile teacher who liked to walk around school grounds holding a guide dog puppy are taking legal action against the department responsible for shifting him around different schools.
The Victorian Department of Education could face millions in compensation after being sued by at least five abuse survivors for their shocking treatment at the hands of Arthur Henry Eaton, an ABC investigation reported.
Heaton was a popular teacher with a 35-year career who was well known for often bringing a guide dog puppy to the playground.
In 1996, Heaton was convicted on 25 counts of indecently assaulting nine boys, aged between eight and 12 at the time.
The offences took place at Warrnambool West Primary School and Derinya Primary School in Frankston South.
He was given a suspended sentence and 300 hours unpaid community work.
Following an appeal, Eaton was jailed for two years with a 12-month minimum.
Heaton’s convictions related to the sexual abuse of eight boys from Derinya and one from Warrnambool West who had raised his abuse with the school’s leadership in May 1992.
After the allegations against Heaton were raised, the department responded by shifting him to two different schools.
The ABC reports Heaton was a popular teacher with a 35-year career who was known for walking around school grounds with a guide dog puppy
A statement from the Victorian Department of Education said ‘it would be inappropriate for us to comment further so as not to prejudice the proceedings’
Despite the horrific allegations against him, Heaton was due to be awarded the ‘Victorian Teacher of the Year’ at the time of his arrest
Heaton was moved to Belvedere Park Primary School in Seaford in 1992, and then Derinya Primary, where he worked from January 1993 until he was arrested in March of 1996.
Despite the horrific allegations against him, Heaton was due to be awarded the ‘Victorian Teacher of the Year’ at the time of his arrest.
Former staff of the Victorian Department of Education told ABC Investigations in 1996 the department knowingly shuffled Eaton around the state.
They said the department also allowed him to resign instead of being sacked, all while under police investigation.
This allowed Eaton not to lose his leave and financial entitlements following his 36-year career.
Personal injury law firm Arnold Thomas confirmed to the broadcaster that civil law claims have been filed against the Victorian Department of Education on behalf of four former students at Derinya, as well as the Warrnambool West survivor.
Georgia Sneddon, the lawyer acting on behalf of the men, said ‘immeasurable harm’ had been inflicted on the former students by Eaton being moved to Derinya Primary and this had led to more students being exposed to abuse.
‘This practice of moving teachers was more concerned about the reputation and well-being of the teachers, the schools and the department rather than the students,’ Ms Sneddon said.
The Victorian Department of Education issued a statement in response to questions from ABC Investigations, confirming they received the claims from the abuse survivors.
‘These claims relate to abuse between 1991-1996 when Eaton worked at Warrnambool West Primary School and Derinya Primary School. We are not aware of allegations made against Eaton prior to May 1992.
‘Given civil legal action in relation to Eaton is currently underway, it would be inappropriate for us to comment further so as not to prejudice the proceedings.’
Victoria (Australia)Crime
